Black Cougar

21 x 13 cm (8.5 x 5.25 inches)

This is a hand colored engraving made in 1812. It is from the English edition of Comte de Buffon's work Histoire Naturelle. Buffon influenced the next two generations of naturalists, including Jean-Baptiste Lamarck and Georges Cuvier. It has been said that "Truly, Buffon was the father of all thought in natural history in the second half of the 18th century." The print was made by copper plate engraving, has fine details and delicate hand coloring. The paper is creamy white, in good condition apart from light foxing mainly near the margins and is blank on the reverse side.