This immense project, begun in 1749 and completed in 1783 was one of the most ambitious undertakings in the field of natural history. Buffon abandoned his work in mathematics to devote himself to the 44 volumes that comprise the Histoire Naturelle. The principal artist was Jacques de Seve, who placed each animal and bird in a background tableau, which add to their decorative quality. Although Buffon himself died in 1788, endless versions and volumes continued to appear well into the next century. These fine, copperplate engravings, were issued in black and white and beautifully colored later. Size (in): 7.75 x 10
