Donovan - Pair or Fish Engravings: Streaked Wrasse & Ancient Wrasse or Old Wife

This original hand-colored engraving is from Edward Donovan?s work The Natural History of British Fishes. This first edition work was published in London between 1802 and 1808.

Edward Donovan was involved in all the steps of creating the illustrations in his works from the drawing, etching, engraving, and hand-coloring. His artistic hand created some of the finest engravings that often have the appearance of watercolors.

Donovan was an avid natural history collector, fellow of the Linnean Society and the Wernerian Natural History Society. He also opened his own private museum in 1807, the London Museum and Institute of Natural History.

Donovan?s engravings are noted for their exceptionally hand-colored images. He drew the images himself from his own museum as well as the collections of Sir Joseph Banks & Dru Drury.

Paper Size ~ 5 1/2" by 9"
Condition Report: The work is in very good to excellent condition overall. Some of the plates in the work may exhibit faint offset, toning, or minor imperfections or fox marks to be expected with age, but generally excellent condition. Please review the image carefully for condition and contact us with any questions.