"Histoire Naturelle, Ornithologie." This engraving presents a detailed zoological study of five avian specimens, focusing on wading birds with unique bill morphologies. The upper register illustrates the Boat-billed Heron (Le Savacou) and the Crested Spoonbill (La Spatule huppée). The lower register depicts three additional specimens: the Eurasian Spoonbill (La Spatule), the Roseate Spoonbill (La Spatule couleur de rose), and the Crested Boat-billed Heron (Le Savacou huppé). Each bird is rendered with meticulous cross-hatching to define the textures of their feathers and the distinctive spatulate or broad, boat-like shapes of their beaks. This work was published in Paris as part of the natural history plates for the Encyclopédie of Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d’Alembert. Robert Bénard was a highly skilled French engraver who specialized in technical and scientific illustrations, eventually serving as the director of engraving for the Académie des Sciences. He is renowned for supervising the production of at least 1,800 plates for the Encyclopédie, which standardized the visual documentation of the natural world and industrial processes during the Enlightenment. His work is characterized by a precise, analytical style that transformed complex biological subjects into clear, instructional diagrams. Artist or Maker: Robert Bénard. Dimensions: Approximately 29 cm x 22 cm. Medium: Engraving. Date: 1771.

This work is in good condition overall. There may be a few minor imperfections or fox or mottled marks to be expected with age. Please review the images carefully for condition details, and feel free to contact us with any questions or for a comprehensive condition report