Moths (Pl. 47) by Henry Noel Humphreys

Moths (Pl. 47) by Henry Noel Humphreys

C. 1843-1845

Hand Colored Lithograph

Depicting an elegant assortment of British lepidoptera in various stages of development, this exquisite hand-colored plate illustrates a dynamic cluster of moths swirling around a central botanical stalk under the heading PL. 47. The composition cleverly incorporates structural variety by rendering both adult winged specimens, such as the prominent gold-toned Ghost-moth (Hepialus humuli), alongside their early life stages, depicting realistic caterpillars crawling among the foliage and stalks. Drawn by the celebrated writer and illustrator Henry Noel Humphreys and described by the distinguished English entomologist John Obadiah Westwood, this hand-finished lithograph was published in London by William Smith circa 1843–1845 for the foundational volume, British Moths and Their Transformations.

This work stems from a milestone period in 19th-century natural history publishing, marking a highly successful collaboration between Humphreys' artistic flair and Westwood's rigorous scientific expertise. John Obadiah Westwood was a preeminent British entomologist and archaeologist who later became the Hope Professor of Zoology at Oxford, revered for his immense contributions to insect taxonomy. Unlike earlier works that isolated specimens in stiff, sterile rows, this plate is historically important because it helped pioneer the ecological format—showing insects dynamically interacting with their specific host plants, such as the common hop (Humulus lupulus) seen here. This aesthetic and educational approach fundamentally changed how the public visualized biology, transforming scientific documentation into a widely sought-after art form during the Victorian era.

Dimensions: H 10 ½” x 7” W

Condition: In very good condition