96 Jacques de Seve & de Buffon - The Alpine brown bear - Ursus arctos

De Sève was commissioned by Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon to provide the quadruped illustrations for Histoire naturelle, générale et particulière (1749-1778, in 36 volumes) (François-Nicolas Martinet did the birds) and then Buffon's Recueil de Vingtquatre Plantes et Fleurs (1772). He also illustrated work by Duhamel du Monceau, Claude Perrault (later editions) and parts of Encyclopédie Méthodique. His illustrations are sometimes exact anatomical representations or show the animals against landscape backgrounds. They were engraved by Louis Le Grand.

His son, Jacques Eustache also worked as an artist and engraver, contributing to the later Suites à Buffon. Together father and son produced thousands of illustrations.

Georges-Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon, was a prominent French naturalist and scientist of the 18th century. He is renowned for his significant contributions to natural history, particularly through his work "Histoire Naturelle". His writings encompass various aspects of the animal kingdom, including zoology, botany, and geology. Buffon also made important contributions to the fields of anthropology and evolutionary biology, influencing many subsequent scientists. His works remain a significant source of knowledge and inspiration for researchers in the natural sciences to this day.

Artist or Maker:

Jacques de Sève

Dimensions:

26 cm x 20 cm

Medium:

Engraving

Date:

1770