Callidie (Plate 217) by Robert Bénard

Callidie (Plate 217) by Robert Bénard

C. 1797

Hand Colored Engraving

This vibrant antique natural history engraving features an array of meticulously illustrated beetle species under the heading Callidie (Plate 217). The composition displays sixteen individually labeled specimens, such as Le Callidie Stigmate and Le Callidie Velu, showcasing a remarkable variety of colors ranging from iridescent blues and metallic greens to bold reds and patterns. Executed as a hand-colored copperplate print under the direction of Robert Bénard (marked "Benard Direxit"), this piece was produced circa 1797 for Charles-Joseph Panckoucke’s monumental scientific series, Histoire Naturelle, Insectes.

The print originates from the Encyclopédie Méthodique, a comprehensive, multi-volume French encyclopedia that sought to expand, reorganize, and update Denis Diderot’s groundbreaking Encyclopédie. Robert Bénardwas a prolific 18th-century French engraver and workshop director celebrated for his expertise in technical, anatomical, and natural history illustrations, managing the production of thousands of detailed plates for major scientific publications. This specific work is historically important as a testament to the Enlightenment era's drive toward empirical categorization and the systematic mapping of the animal kingdom, serving as a critical bridge between early scientific exploration and the public dissemination of biological knowledge.

Dimensions: H 11 ½” x 8” W

Condition: In very good condition