Moses Harris

Butterflies & Moths

Moses Harris (1730-1788) was an English entomologist and engraver whose celebrated work The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects (London, 1766) remains one of the finest and most beautiful entomological publications of the 18th century. Harris both drew and engraved the plates himself, producing hand-colored illustrations of extraordinary delicacy and scientific precision. His work is highly sought after by collectors of natural history prints.

Available Works

Current Inventory

Plate XXXIX — Daffodils, Primroses with Butterflies & Moths

Very Good

Natural History

Plate XXXIX — Daffodils, Primroses with Butterflies & Moths

Artist: Moses Harris
Date: 1840
Medium: Hand-colored engraving
Size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches
Price: $875

Plate XXXIX from The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects, Moses Harris, London, 1840. A superb hand-colored engraving depicting a glass vase of daffodils and primroses surrounded by butterflies and moths, with caterpillars and pupae below. Harris both drew and engraved the plates himself, producing illustrations of extraordinary delicacy and scientific precision. Printed on Whatman paper. Page size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches.

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Plate XL — Marigolds & Peonies with Butterflies & Moths, Dedicated to Peter Collinson

Very Good

Natural History

Plate XL — Marigolds & Peonies with Butterflies & Moths, Dedicated to Peter Collinson

Artist: Moses Harris
Date: 1840
Medium: Hand-colored engraving
Size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches
Price: $875

Plate XL from The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects, Moses Harris, London, 1840. A magnificent hand-colored engraving of marigolds, peonies, and morning glory in a fluted vase, surrounded by brilliantly colored moths and butterflies. The plate bears a dedication to Peter Collinson, Esq., F.R.S., signed by Moses Harris himself. Printed on Whatman paper. Page size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches.

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Plate XXIII — Morning Glory with Hawk-Moths, Dedicated to Sir Armine Wodehouse

Very Good

Natural History

Plate XXIII — Morning Glory with Hawk-Moths, Dedicated to Sir Armine Wodehouse

Artist: Moses Harris
Date: 1840
Medium: Hand-colored engraving
Size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches
Price: $750

Plate XXIII from The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects, Moses Harris, London, 1840. A magnificent hand-colored engraving depicting a twining morning glory vine in full blue bloom, surrounded by hawk-moths in flight, with caterpillars and pupae below. Dedicated by Harris to Sir Armine Wodehouse, Baronet. Harris both drew and engraved the plates himself, producing illustrations of extraordinary delicacy and scientific precision. Printed on Whatman paper. Page size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches.

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Plate XIX — Marigolds with Moths, Dedicated to the Duke of Richmond

Very Good

Natural History

Plate XIX — Marigolds with Moths, Dedicated to the Duke of Richmond

Artist: Moses Harris
Date: 1840
Medium: Hand-colored engraving
Size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches
Price: $750

Plate XIX from The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects, Moses Harris, London, 1840. A superb hand-colored engraving of marigolds in full bloom with brilliantly colored moths in flight, caterpillars on an oak branch, and larval stages displayed on a wooden tray below. Dedicated to His Grace Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond. Harris both drew and engraved the plates himself. Printed on Whatman paper. Page size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches.

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Plate I — Hop Plant with Comma Butterflies & Burnet Moths

Very Good

Natural History

Plate I — Hop Plant with Comma Butterflies & Burnet Moths

Artist: Moses Harris
Date: 1840
Medium: Hand-colored engraving
Size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches
Price: $650

Plate I from The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects, Moses Harris, London, 1840. The celebrated opening plate of the work, depicting a twining hop plant with comma butterflies, burnet moths, and caterpillars in various stages of metamorphosis, with larval specimens displayed on a wooden tray below. Harris both drew and engraved the plates himself, producing illustrations of extraordinary delicacy and scientific precision. Printed on Whatman paper. Page size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches.

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Plate XXVII — Sweet Peas with Butterflies, Dedicated to the Duchess of Norfolk

Very Good

Natural History

Plate XXVII — Sweet Peas with Butterflies, Dedicated to the Duchess of Norfolk

Artist: Moses Harris
Date: 1840
Medium: Hand-colored engraving
Size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches
Price: $650

Plate XXVII from The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects, Moses Harris, London, 1840. A magnificent hand-colored engraving of sweet pea blossoms in blue and purple, surrounded by wall butterflies, a hairy caterpillar, and chrysalises on reed grass, with a specimen displayed under glass at center. Dedicated to Her Grace the Dutchess of Norfolk by her Grace's most devoted Servant, Moses Harris. Printed on Whatman paper. Page size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches.

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Plate XXVI — Bramble with Fritillaries & Dragonflies, Dedicated to Lady Spencer

Very Good

Natural History

Plate XXVI — Bramble with Fritillaries & Dragonflies, Dedicated to Lady Spencer

Artist: Moses Harris
Date: 1840
Medium: Hand-colored engraving
Size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches
Price: $650

Plate XXVI from The Aurelian: A Natural History of English Insects, Moses Harris, London, 1840. A spectacular hand-colored engraving depicting a bramble branch in full flower with silver-washed fritillary butterflies, a large dragonfly, a blue-tailed dragonfly, water insects, beetles, and larvae. Dedicated to the Right Honourable Lady Spencer by her Ladyship's most obliged humble Servant, Moses Harris. Printed on Whatman paper. Page size: 9 1/4 x 12 inches.

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Our inventory changes regularly. If you are looking for a specific work by this artist, please contact us and we will notify you when a matching piece becomes available.

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Current Inventory

Moses HarrisPlate XXXIX — Daffodils, Primroses with Butterflies & Moths

Moses HarrisPlate XL — Marigolds & Peonies with Butterflies & Moths, Dedicated to Peter Collinson

Moses HarrisPlate XXIII — Morning Glory with Hawk-Moths, Dedicated to Sir Armine Wodehouse

Moses HarrisPlate XIX — Marigolds with Moths, Dedicated to the Duke of Richmond

Moses HarrisPlate I — Hop Plant with Comma Butterflies & Burnet Moths

Moses HarrisPlate XXVII — Sweet Peas with Butterflies, Dedicated to the Duchess of Norfolk

Moses HarrisPlate XXVI — Bramble with Fritillaries & Dragonflies, Dedicated to Lady Spencer

Moses HarrisComing Soon

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