1859 Genuine antique butterfly lithograph with hand colouring, flowers, vintage framed art

Genuine antique hand-colored lithograph with applied gum arabic colours after British naturalist, illustrator and entomologist Henry Noel Humphreys (1810-1879). Extracted from an 1859 copy of the publication “British Butterflies” printed in London. Beautiful artistic and scientific portrayal of several species amongst flowers. Framed with ornate gilt solid wood and custom mount behind glass. Excellent condition.

35cm x 30cm frame 

20cm x 12cm artwork

"As a naturalist and entomologist Humphreys' was most particular that his illustrations layout the comprehensive life cycle transformation from caterpillars to butterflies by virtue of the chrysalis.  His method of visually explaining the idea of "metamorphosis" so impressed the British Museum curators that they adopted his meticulous display concept. "The study of natural history is the learning of the characters with which the wonderful story of nature is written; and cannot conceive a more pleasing and natural introduction to its general study than entomology, of which I think the division of Lepidoptera...the most easy and attractive section. " H.N. Humphreys, Esq, 1860"