"THE FIRST BASIC WORK ON ENTOMOLOGY"
GOEDART, JEAN.
Metamorphoses naturelles ou Histoire des insectes observée très-exactement suivant leur nature & leurs proprietez. 3 vols.
Amsterdam, George Gallet, 1700.
8vo. Three volumes uniformly bound in two contemporary full calf bindings with three raised bands. Spine miscoloured and with a few small holes. Ex-libris pasted on to pasted down front end-paper. Worm-tract affecting vol. 1. Occassionally closely trimmed, with a bit of loss to margins. Text-leaves brownspotted, plates fine and clean. (10), 238, (2) pp. + frontispiece, engraved half-title and 79 plates (on 64 leaves); (2), 254, (2) pp. engraved half title and 51 plates (on 42 leaves). (2), 270, (2) pp. Engraved half-title and 22 plates.
First French translation of Goegaert’s early work on entomology being the first to write on the insects of the Netherlands and Europe, based on his own observations and experiments. For the first time, insects are represented using the intaglio technique. He carefully observed of all phases of insect growth, from larva to adult through the stage of metamorphosiscontaining detailed illustrations of insects at various stages of their life cycles, along with descriptions of their behavior and habitats: "The first basic work on entomolgy (…) The insects depicted were given characteristic and often witty names by Goedaert." (Landwehr S. 93). Johannes Goedaert, also known as Jan Goedaert, was a Dutch Golden Age painter and naturalist, born around 1617 in Middelburg, Netherlands, and died around 1668. He is primarily remembered for his work in the field of natural history, particularly his illustrations of insects. Goedaert was one of the first naturalists to study and depict insects in their natural habitats. His most famous work is "Metamorphosis Naturalis," published posthumously in 1662. This book contained detailed illustrations of insects at various stages of their life cycles, along with descriptions of their behavior and habitats. His observations were made without the aid of a microscope, which was a remarkable feat for the time. Goedaert's contributions to the study of insects helped lay the foundation for future research in entomology. Although he was not widely recognized during his lifetime and his work has gained appreciation in later centuries for its scientific accuracy and artistic merit. Three variants of this French translation appeared in 1700; One stating Amsterdam, one stating La Haye and one without year - no priority has been established. Nissen 1604
Brunet II, 1642
Order-nr.: 60849
DKK 10.000,00