This lovely original watercolor was part of An English Album of Botanical Watercolors with Butterflies and Moths completed in London circa 1825. Each watercolor is on card and mounted to tinted paper with ink-ruled frames. Some of the images have pencilled captions. The collection originally had two blind stamps that read "Turnbull's Superfine London Board" and "Ackerman 191 Regent Street."

The watercolors were completed by a skilled hand. Some of the butterflies and moths were cut and mounted to the cards in such a way to give an effect of specimens mounted from afar creating a trompe l'oeil effect. The artist has achieved this trompe l'oeil effect by taking what is likely paper sized with an agent to render it velvetly to the touch, which mimics the look and tactile feel of an actual butterfly or moth, and meticulously painting the moth or butterfly onto the collaged element in a realistic manner. The end result pops out to the eye when juxtaposed with the flowers, and gives one the feel of seeing the Lepidoptera flying in and out of the picture.

Paper Size Paper Size ~ 10 1/2" by 14 1/2"; Card / Image Size ~ 7 1/4" by 8 3/4"

The work is in very good to excellent condition. There is a blind stamp in the upper right corner of the card of the iris. There may be a few minor marks or imperfections to be expected with age. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.