Plate CCCXXXIII by Anonymous Artist

Plate CCCXXXIII by Anonymous Artist

C. 1782

Hand Colored Engraving

Eight exotic butterfly species labeled A through I are symmetrically displayed in a balanced, diamond-like formation in this hand-colored copperplate engraving (plate CCCXXXIII). The central vertical axis highlights two large, tailed swallowtail-style butterflies—a vibrant blue specimen viewed dorsally at the top (Fig. A) paired above a deep teal-green specimen (Fig. B)—with a small, zebra-striped butterfly positioned between them (Fig. I). Flanking the center are pairs showing dorsal and ventral perspectives, including a dark butterfly with rich cobalt blue patches (Fig. C) alongside its dark brown underside marked with red basal accents (Fig. D), as well as smaller species rendered in black, iridescent blue, and speckled grey tones (Figs. E/F and G/H). Drawn and engraved by Dutch illustrator Gerrit Wartenaar Lambertz, this original print dates to 1782 and measures approximately 11 1/2 by 9 inches.

This plate comes from Pieter Cramer’s landmark entomological work, De uitlandsche kapellen (The Exotic Butterflies Occurring in the Three Parts of the World: Asia, Africa, and America), published in Amsterdam between 1775 and 1782. Cramer’s masterwork was the first entomological publication to utilize the Linnaean system for exotic butterflies and moths, establishing new scientific nomenclature while celebrating global biodiversity during the height of 18th-century exploration. Illustrated by Lambertz and finished with fine hand coloring, plates from this series remain foundational milestones in scientific illustration, prized for their artistic beauty, historical importance, and contribution to early taxonomic science.

Dimensions: H 11 ½ ” x 9” W

Condition: In excellent condition