Sturm: Hawk moths
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Hawk moths

Depicted are two hawk moths (Sphingidae, or sphinx moths) with their wings spread, sitting on a blooming branch of a cashew tree (Anacardium occidentale) with red fruits. At the bottom right corner a handwritten (by the publisher?) date and number: 1869.14.
Verso handwritten in brown ink “Tafel 16) oben: Sphinx Medor, unten: Rustica, Surinam, Pflanze: Nierenbaum Ancardium occidentale.”

This beautiful watercolour by Friedrich Sturm (1805-1862) is a preliminary drawing for the famous “Buch der Welt” (Book of the World, publ. Stuttgart 1842-1872). Originally mounted on grey cardboard, some small wrinkles at the right upper corner, altogether in very good to excellent condition, rare!

Sheet size: 22 x 17,5 cm

€ 850,-

Johann Heinrich Christian Friedrich Sturm (Nuremberg 1805-1862)was a German engraver, natural scientist and a member of the renowned science academy “Kaiserlich Leopoldinisch-Carolinische Deutsche Akademie der Naturforscher“. He designed preliminary drawings for the book series “Das Buch der Welt”  (Book of the World), published by the Hoffmann'sche Verlagsbuchhandlung in Stuttgart between 1842 and 1872.