◇ Entomological Plate: Lepidopteram (Minimal restoration)

This entomological plate presents a meticulous arrangement of butterflies and moths, each rendered with sharp linework and saturated color. The composition reads almost like a catalog of pattern and form: symmetrical wings, jewel-toned variations, and precise naturalist detail. Even with its scientific structure, the print carries a quiet elegance—luminous pigments set against the simplicity of an off-white ground. It’s the kind of image that invites long looking, rewarding attention with small shifts in texture and hue.

Why We Picked It
The appeal lies in its balance between scientific clarity and aesthetic richness. The lithographer captured each specimen with crisp outlines and strong chromatic contrasts, letting the blues, pinks, greens, and ochres play off one another without overwhelming the sheet. The symmetrical layout brings order to the variation, giving the piece a graphic quality that translates beautifully into contemporary interiors. It’s a rare example of natural history documentation that feels both rigorous and visually sumptuous.

Notable Context
Natural history plates like this were produced during a period when scientific illustration was undergoing rapid refinement. Color lithography made it possible to reproduce complex hues at scale, allowing institutions and publishers to share accurate visual information with scholars and the public. Lepidoptera studies, in particular, gained traction in the 19th century as collectors, museums, and universities worked to classify global species. These plates reflect that era’s fascination with cataloging the natural world, and they also embody the aesthetics of early chromolithography—precise outlines, bold color fields, and a deliberate grid-like organization that echoes scientific taxonomies.

About the Publisher
This sheet originates from the Pellerin printing house in Épinal, one of France’s most influential popular print publishers. Established in the 18th century, the atelier became known for its chromolithographs, educational plates, and visually striking ephemera. Their output bridged art and accessible knowledge, distributing images that shaped popular visual culture across Europe. The workshop’s entomological plates remain admired for their clarity, saturated palette, and contribution to the spread of natural history education.