[Colour plate] [Sparrman, Anders]
Fulica Aethiops. ....seu Atra: L: Blåsklacka, Bläsa. [Published for "Svensk Ornithologie"]
[Stockholm] [1805-1816] 40 x 27,5 cm. Hand coloured engraving.
Slight toning and a few creases. Residue of a paper tab in the outer left margin. Small paper strips in the upper corners at the back which are leftovers from a former mounting. Nice condition.
A beautiful image published for the rare swedish bird book "Svensk Ornithologie" (Swedish Ornithology). Anders Sparrman is internationally renowned for his participation in captain Cooks second voyage and for his narratives from that journey, as well as for his study of South Africa. He was sent out by Linneaus to gather information and collect samples from of the natural world. Back in Sweden he published, among many other things, two folio works on birds "Museum Carlsonianum" 1786-1789, containing 100 plates of birds from around the world and "Svensk Ornithologie" 1805-1816, containing 68 swedish birds. He was critizized for the lack of scientific exactness, the birds did not look right scholars complained. By modern standards the plates have a stuning beauty and an air of romance. Like works of art.
Item No: 3511
