c1822 Vintage Butterfly Print by Donovan - Marica's Butterfly - Antique Lithographic

This exquisite, hand-colored engraving originates from Edward Donovan's The Naturalist's Repository of Exotic Natural History... Of Quadrupeds, Birds, Fishes, Insects, Shells, Marine Productions, published in London between 1822 and 1827 by W. Simpkin and R. Marshall. This piece hails from the first edition, second issue, and is printed on fine, woven watermarked paper—a significant improvement over the coarser paper of the first issue, which has allowed it to age gracefully and remain in exceptional condition.

Edward Donovan personally oversaw every stage of the illustration process, from drawing and etching to engraving and hand-coloring. His dedication to detail lends each engraving a delicate quality reminiscent of watercolors, setting his work apart in the field of natural history illustration. A passionate collector and respected naturalist, Donovan was a fellow of both the Linnean and Wernerian Natural History Societies and, in 1807, he founded his own institution, the London Museum and Institute of Natural History.

Donovan's engravings are celebrated for their vibrant, meticulously hand-colored details. He drew his subjects from specimens in his museum and from the collections of renowned naturalists like Sir Joseph Banks and Dru Drury, giving each piece an authenticity and charm that appeals to any serious collector.