Moth plate: Death's-head hawkmoth by d'Orbigny

This reproduction of an antique illustration features three nocturnal lepidoptera, including the famous death's-head hawkmoth. The central subject, with its spread wings in shades of orange and black, dominates the plate, flanked by a burnet moth and a syntomid moth. The naturalist drawing highlights the chromatic contrasts and complex geometric patterns that characterize these fascinating species.

The original document comes from Charles d'Orbigny's Dictionnaire Universel d'Histoire Naturelle, a major reference in mid-19th-century scientific publishing. The plate embodies the naturalist aesthetics of the era, blending rigorous observation with artistic sense in page layout. It reflects the growing interest in biodiversity and systematic classification within encyclopedic works.

Intended for amateurs of lepidopterology and antique iconography, this plate brings an erudite dimension to any living space. Its visual strength and color contrasts make it a remarkable collector's piece. This reproduction allows one to rediscover the scientific synthesis work carried out by d'Orbigny and his collaborators.