AUDEBERT, Jean-Baptiste (1759-1800)

Flying lemur, an original watercolour sketch for a published print

Original pencil, bodycolour and watecolour by Audebert, with details of claws and teeth in pen, ink and wash and pencil above main figure, on laid paper. Fine condition. Sheet size: 21 1/4 x 14 inches.

A very fine original watercolour by Audebert: an original of an image that was published in his first great natural history book 'Histoire Naturelle des Singes' (Paris: 1797-1800).

Although the present drawing is unsigned, it is clearly by Audebert. This fine watercolour gives some insight into the working methods of one of the most highly respected pioneers of a golden era in natural history publications in France. Audebert, a painter by training, was born at Rochefort. His interest in natural history was stimulated by a commission to help with the preparation of the plates for G. A. Olivier's work on Coleoptera. This drawing is an original for Audebert's Histoire Naturelle des Singes, the only publication of his own work to be completed during his life-time, which was published in ten parts between 1797 and 1800. He died in 1800, in Paris, leaving notes and drawings for a number of other works which were published after his death.

Item #20779

Price: $5,750.00