Martinet, Francois Nicolas (1731- c. 1790), Brisson's Ornithologia

Francois Nicolas Martinet was a famous French engraver and draughtsman in the 18th Century. His illustrations were used in many important works, including one of the most influential of all bird books Brisson’s “Ornithologia,” in 1760. Martinet was the artist and this work is recognized as his masterpiece, with it’s beautifully detailed backgrounds and naturalistic settings. Written by one of the greatest ornithologists of the time, the work deals with 1336 species in addition to 150 varieties distributed over 115 genera, which are again grouped in 26 orders.

Prints from this publication are becoming scarce