Flowers, Butterflies, and Caterpillars (Pl. XIX) by Moses Harris

Flowers, Butterflies, and Caterpillars (Pl. XIX) by Moses Harris

1840

Hand Colored Engraving

Centering on a lively botanical and entomological composition from a volume published in 1840, this exquisite 19th-century natural history plate illustrates the metamorphic stages of native moths interacting with a vibrant French marigold stalk under the heading PL. XIX. The arrangement features four adult winged moths rendered mid-flight to display their distinct, wavy patterned upper-wings and subtly colored under-wings, alongside a prominent caterpillar crawling over an oak branch. Notably, the bottom of the plate includes a rare depiction of an early wooden breeding box, showing caterpillars and a pupa undergoing study on a table surface. While the iconic series was originally conceived in the 18th century, this specific hand-colored copperplate engraving originates from the celebrated 1840 edition of The Aurelian: or, Natural History of English Insects, drawn and engraved by the acclaimed English entomologist and illustrator Moses Harris.

This work stems from a defining moment in British natural history, representing the golden age of the "Aurelians"—an early society of avid butterfly and moth collectors who combined amateur field study with scientific documentation. Moses Harris was a preeminent 18th-century British engraver, artist, and pioneer in entomology who served as the Secretary to the Aurelian Society, famously creating the first complete color wheel in his studies of light and pigments. This specific plate bridges early experimental scientific practice with artistic mastery, uniquely illustrating the physical tools of an 18th-century naturalist—the breeding cage—alongside the lifecycle of the insect. By depicting the host plant, larvae, and adult specimens in a unified, dynamic environment rather than isolated rows, Harris helped revolutionize ecological illustration, setting a new standard for biological accuracy and aesthetic design during the Enlightenment.

Dimensions: H 15” x 11” W

Condition: Very slight foxing