1749

AUTHOR: ELEAZAR ALBIN    ARTIST: ALBIN AND HIS DAUGHTER

Print Size:9''X11.5''  / Mat Size: 14''X18''

__________

Albin was a German professional painter who settled in England in 1707, where he married and raised a family, changing his name from Weiss to Albin. He was a prolific natural history illustrator who earned his living by making watercolors of the collections of wealthy patrons, including Sir Hans Sloane, whose collection founded the British Museum. “A Natural History of Insects” was originally published in 1720 and was the first colored compilation of English moths and butterflies. The composition was based on Maria Sybill Merian’s notable work, Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium published in 1705. The hand coloring for “A History of Insects” was done at least in part by his daughter, Elizabeth. Each plate is dedicated in the honor of a member of English nobility or to a person of high rank or recognition in early 18th century English society.

While the study of insects was, for the most part, not of great interest in the early 18th century, Albin found it fascinating and in the introduction, he notes to the reader, “As Providence is so remarkable in the propagation and preservation of Insects, so are they by no means to be esteemed useless Creatures: For besides their subserviency to one another, they likewise serve as food to many other Creatures, both Fish and Fowls. Young birds are almost generally fed with them; and … we are indebted to them for relief in several diseases; for all our Honey, Wax, Silk, …. From the whole we cannot but conclude that they are the Work of Infinite Power, and not the Effect of mere Chance, or the Product of Corruption