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Direct scan of object
Watercolor of Butterflies & Insects, Page 53
Direct scan of object

Watercolor of Butterflies & Insects, Page 53

DateCa. 1710-1720
Artist/Maker Eleazar Albin
OriginEngland
MediumWatercolor on paper
Dimensions15" x 12 1/2"
Credit LineMuseum Purchase
Object number1990-177,53
DescriptionWatercolor of butterflies and insects manuscript book of various insects, page 53.
Label TextThis piece depicts an assortment of spiders and butterflies crafted with watercolors. It was done by Eleazar Albin, an eighteenth century artist and naturalist known for his illustrations of insects, birds, and fish. Albin crafted multiple books with his illustrations such as "A Natural History of English Insects," paired with descriptions of the specimens. He also cultivated various professional relationships with high English society, working under commission for his watercolors.
This particular watercolor apppears to have served as a practice sheet before being transferred to a copper plate for Albin's "A Natural History of Spiders, and Other Curious Insects," publication. Many of the various spiders depicted, labelled with numbers, can also be found printed in the book under the same numbers.