Collection: Prints and Posters of Plates from Charles d'Orbigny's Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle

This collection brings together poster and print reproductions from the Dictionnaire universel d'histoire naturelle, directed by botanist Charles d'Orbigny. Published in Paris between 1839 and 1849, this major encyclopedic undertaking brings together thirteen volumes of text and three volumes of plates comprising approximately 288 hand-colored engraved plates. Written with the collaboration of scientists from the Paris Museum, such as Geoffroy Saint-Hilaire, Milne-Edwards, Brongniart, Arago, and Alcide d'Orbigny, this work offers a rigorous overview of 19th-century natural science knowledge.

Set within the scientific context of the mid-19th century, the dictionary gathers the most advanced observations of its time in botany, zoology, and Earth sciences. The creation of the illustrations follows strict documentary requirements: the fineness of the engraved line combined with the meticulous application of hand-applied colors faithfully restores the morphological and taxonomic characteristics of the described specimens. These visual representations are part of the great tradition of scholarly iconography, in which aesthetic quality directly supports academic discourse. This natural history atlas constitutes major heritage documentation on the classification and transmission of scientific knowledge.

The proposed selection allows for a methodical exploration of this historical natural history atlas. These fine art prints and posters serve as visual supports suited for decorative and cultural use, naturally finding their place in an office, library, cabinet of curiosities, or study space with a heritage style. Whether aimed at historians of science, researchers, collectors, or lovers of antique prints, these faithful reproductions preserve the legibility and documentary interest of each original plate, ensuring the editorial continuity of a significant encyclopedic project.