[reserved]+La Cigogne Blanche, François-Nicolas Martinet (1731 - c. 1800), etching, France, late 18th century.

Coloured etching depicting a stork. Originally published in one of the volumes of Histoire naturelle des oiseaux (1770-83), by Georges-Louis Leclerc de Buffon.

France, late 18th century. Signed “martinet”.

Dimensions: 42.5 x 37.5 cm. In light p.p. 26x22 cm.

Good state of preservation.

François-Nicolas Martinet (1731 - c. 1800) - renowned French engineer, engraver, naturalist. He became engraver to the King's cabinet in 1756, engraving plates for many works of natural history, especially ornithology. Of particular note are those for Buffon's natural history, where he produced 1008 engravings. He also contributed 21 ornithological illustrations to Diderot's and d'Alembert's Encyclopédie. Some of his work was important in the taxonomy and identification of extinct species.