c1720 RARE Original Bird Lithograph - Handpainted Cock on the Rocks by Aart Schouman & Engravings by Arnout Vosmaer

Discover the beauty of nature through the eyes of master artists with this original hand-colored engraving from Regnum Animale: Natural Description of an Excellent Collection of Rare Animals by Arnout Vosmaer. Published in Amsterdam between 1766 and 1804 by J. B. Elwe, this rare work captures the fascination of 18th-century science with exotic animals.

The engravings, masterfully crafted by Simon Fokke, with the original watercolors of the famous Dutch artist Aert Schouman, known for his unparalleled talent for capturing animals in their natural splendor. Every detail, from the vibrant colors to the precise lines, makes this work not only a scientific document, but also a true work of art that adorns any space.

This unique work is an ideal addition for natural history enthusiasts, collectors, or anyone looking to add a piece of history to their home. The combination of detailed engraving, hand-colored accents, and the collaboration of two leading artists makes this piece an unforgettable one.

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Aert Schouman -- born on March 4, 1710 in Dordrecht, Netherlands. He showed interest in art at a young age and received his first training from the painter Adriaen van der Burg. In 1733 Schouman moved to The Hague, where he continued to establish himself as an artist and teacher.

Schouman grew into a versatile Dutch artist and one of the most important painters of the 18th century, best known for his beautiful nature scenes, birds, and exotic animals. In addition to painting, he was also active as an etcher, draftsman, and glass artist. Schouman is often praised for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to capture both the beauty and the scientific precision of nature.

Arnout Vosmaer (1720–1799) was a Dutch naturalist and collector best known for his extensive collection of exotic animals. He was curator of the menagerie of stadtholder William V, and his collection of exotic animals was considered one of the most impressive of his time. He published a series of books entitled "Descriptions and illustrations of strange animals" in which he gave detailed descriptions of the animals in his collection, with illustrations by Schouman and others.

The collaboration between Schouman and Vosmaer was based on their shared interest in natural history and exotic animals. Vosmaer had a large collection of animals, ranging from birds and mammals to reptiles, which he had brought from all over the world. These animals were often kept in the menagerie of stadtholder William V or in Vosmaer's own collection.

Schouman, who was known for his lifelike depiction of animals, was given access to these animals to paint and draw. He made detailed watercolors and engravings of the animals in Vosmaer's collection, emphasizing both the scientific accuracy and the aesthetic beauty of the animals. Vosmaer used these illustrations in his publications, in which he described the animals scientifically.

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The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. There is some waviness to the plate due to having been bound. There may be some minor imperfections, which is to be expected given its age. Please examine the image carefully to assess condition and contact us if you have any questions.