This hand-coloured engraving of woodpeckers is entitled "1. Pic de Canada and 2. Petit Pic du Senegal by Francois Nicolas Martinet, plate 345 from ''Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux'' in association with Georges Louis Leclerc Comte de Buffon, first published in Paris in 1765 by Edme Louis D'Aubenton.NB. This engraving is from the rare large paper issue.It depicts a male and a female woodpecker perched on branches of a tree. This colourful and detailed hand-coloured copperplate engraving is printed on high quality laid chain-linked paper, which measures 15.5in x 12in (40cm x 30.5cm).Francois Nicolas Martinet (1731-c1804) was a French naturalist, engineer and artist, particularly as a skilled engraver. He produced engravings for numerous publication on natural history. He is best known for his bird engravings. George Louis Leclerc Buffon (1707-1788) was a French aristocrat who became a very prominent and respected scientist and mathematician. He was the director of the Jardin des Plantes botanical garden in Paris.

The print is in excellent condition on thick, high quality paper. Please inspect the image carefully