Offering this Antique Hand-Painted Engraving by Martinet - Pic du Canada, Petit Pic Du Senegal - 1780.

Print is number 345 of the series from Buffon's Historie Naturelle des Oiseaux published in Paris from 1770 to 1786.

Francois Nicholas Martinet was one of the greatest bird artists of the 18th century.

Histoire Naturelle was the most comprehensive ornithological work of the 1700's by Georges Louis Leclerc Comte de Buffon. 

The collection consisted of 1,008 hand-colored prints of birds from both Europe and the Tropics.

Martinet's illustrations are very accurate and beautifully artistic.

The print is an original hand colored copper plate engraving on handmade paper and framed by a sharp yellow border.

Colors are still bright with very light age yellowing . 

This is a true masterpiece in the world of bird art. 

Mat was affixed to print in the 1950's.

There has been no attempt to remove mat.

Please see photos for better detail and condition views.

Dimensions:  Mat size:  16 1/2"  X  14 1/2"

Matt opening:  10"  X  8 1/4"

See other Martinet bird print up for auction.

Item shipped Priority with insurance.