Collecting original art doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, there are a surprising number of original prints and paintings that can be acquired with a modest to moderate investment. This article examines some of Joel Oppenheimer Gallery’s best finds under $10,000!
John James Audubon
Havell Edition
As the most notable early contributor to wildlife art in America, John James Audubon revolutionized the field by marrying artistry with scientific illustration in his Birds of America folio. His most desirable hand-colored engravings command upwards of $200,000 each, and more than 11 million for a complete Havell edition set.
However, despite this pricey precedent, antique original Audubon prints can be acquired for a very reasonable price. For example, Audubon Havell Ed. Pl 68, Republican or Cliff Swallow can enrich your art collection for only $6,500. This original 19th-century engraving boasts rich hand-applied color, intricate detail, and an attractive composition on a full double-elephant-size sheet of Whatman paper.
Bien Edition
Similarly, Pl. 19 Iceland or Jer Falcon from Audubon’s Bien edition can be acquired for $9,000. This vibrant and dramatic depiction captures a tender moment between the two birds. Coming from Audubon’s Bien edition – the rarest of his double-elephant folios – this print is an excellent way to add an original Audubon to your collection.
Antique Original Wildlife Prints
Mark Catesby
18th-century artist Mark Catesby made a name for himself in natural history art through his engaging depictions of plants and animals. His distinctive, rudimentary style makes his work immediately recognizable. Pl. 10, The Parrot of Paradise of Cuba is exemplary of his charming style and can be acquired for only $4,400. This desirable image captures the exotic bird in an engaging composition.
Daniel Giraud Elliot
In a dazzling panoply of colors and patterns, Elliot’s Pl. 32, Great Argus Pheasant is captured with astonishing detail. This lithograph boasts vivid hand-applied color with select areas of glossy gum arabic, accentuating the iridescence of the bird’s plumage. A perfect addition to your rustic home or lodge, this magnificent pheasant can enhance your environment for $6,375.
Edward Lear
One of the great ornithological artists of his era, the multi-talented Edward Lear (1804 – 1888) was a self-taught naturalist and painter who contributed to a number of John Gould’s publications including The Birds of Europe. This elegant pair of cranes is the perfect way to elevate any environment. Lithographed and hand-colored on 21 ¾” × 15” paper, these antique original prints capture the avian species in full color and detail. These prints make for an attractive diptych or standalone centerpieces. Enrich your collection with these magnificent pieces of natural history art!
Antique Original Botanical Engravings
Basilius Besler
Basilius Besler’s 17th-century engraving Pl. 186, Scarlet turk’s-cap lily, Autumn squill delicately captures the details of the blossoming botanical. Elegantly engraved on laid paper, this 17th-century print has a tactile quality emphasized by the paper texture, raised linework, and platemark. As part of the oldest and most costly florilegium, Hortus Eystettensis, this print is a valuable piece of history and an enchanting addition to antique and contemporary spaces alike. The tulips are a particularly desirable investment that can be acquired for $9,000.
Pierre-Joseph Redouté
Deemed the Rembrandt of Roses, Pierre-Joseph Redouté is a staple in any botanical collector’s home. His ethereal florals earned favor with three consecutive three successive French Empresses – Marie-Antoinette, Josephine Bonaparte, and Marie-Amelie. Earning the position of royal flower painter, Redouté published three magnificent folios depicting plants from the French imperial gardens – Les Liliacées, Les Roses, and Choix des plus belles fleurs.
Pl. 25, Apothecary’s Rose is a particularly desirable rose that can be acquired for $4,252.50. From the imperial French gardens to your home, this delicate rose promises to elevate and refine any space. The print is hand-colored and stipple- engraved on antique paper measuring 14 ¼” × 10 ⅝”. Elevate your environment with a flower from Empress Josephine’s garden!
Maria Sibylla Merian
Maria Sibylla Merian, a 17th-century artist and entomologist, was one of the first to discover and document insect metamorphosis. Her engaging compositions from Metamorphosis of the Insects of Suriname depict the various stages of the insects development against a botanical backdrop.
The 1726 engraving Pl. 49, Lantern Fly with Pomegranate Flower captures the developmental cycle of the lantern fly on a fruiting pomegranate branch. This 18th-century hand-colored engraving bears the platemark – a rectangular depression in the paper around the perimeter of the image area – from the intaglio printing process. Printed on laid paper and colored by hand, the artwork features luscious colors, charming details, and nuanced textures that bring the image to life. For $4,400, you can enhance your art collection and enliven your walls with this delightful antique engraving.
