Büchner, J.L. [Little Weasel]

J.L. Büchner [Little Weasel].  From Die Säugethiere.

Ca. 1830.  Lithographs.  Approximately 6 1/2 x 9.  Original hand color.  Very good condition.

In the grand tradition of natural history prints, this image both delights the eye and informs the mind.  Skillfully drafted, each animal in Büchner’s work appears in profile against a picturesque representation of its primary habitat.    Clean, well-executed lithography shows off even fine details, like the texture of the animal’s fur coat.  Original hand color enhances both the accuracy and the aesthetics of each print.  To satisfy the curious viewer, average measurements are noted below titles.  Though printed in German, this group of Säugethiere, or mammals, reaches far beyond western Europe to include species from parts of Africa and Asia alongside local animals.  Beyond his language, little is known about artist J.L. Büchner, but his keen eye and skill place this series among finest educational and decorative natural history series of the early nineteenth century.