Description
Description of the Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London
These fine hand-finished color-printed lithographs are the result of the studies by the Zoological Society of London. This society was founded in 1826 to promote the study of zoology. One notable role of the society is the series of works entitled Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London. In these publications several well-known artists and lithographers contributed illustrations of various animals and birds from around the world often introducing newly discovered species. Some of the lithographers for the work include Joseph Smit, J. G. Keulemans, and G. B. Sowerby. According to Peter Dance, author of The Art of Natural History, Joesph Smit is "considered . . . the best animal painter in England after the death of J. Wolf." J. Wolf was also a well-known artist who created some of the original drawings for this work which were delineated by Smit. John Gerard Keulemans was a well-known painter and illustrator of wildlife in the 1800s, working on famous works such as Dresser's Birds of Europe, Elliot's Monograph of the Hornbills, and Buller's Birds of New Zealand. They are on fine heavy woven paper that measures ~5 7/8" by 8 3/4".