Hackney

ref. 71-6407 — Paris: Miger Patris Grandcher & Dentu An X. 1801. Engraving. 35 x 53 cm sheet. Very Good light specks of foxing minor surface soiling.Reference: Benezit Dictionnaire des Peintres Sculpteurs Dessinateurs et Graveurs vol. 9 p. 611; Anker 275; BMNH IV p. 1517; Brunet III 725; Nissen ZBI 2353.La menagerie du Museum National d'Histoire Naturelle ou Description et histoire des animaux qui y vivent et qui y ont vecu.In 1793after the French Revolution the former royal garden and collection became the Botanical Garden and the National Museum of Natural History. A zoo linked with the museum was also established replacing the royal menagerie at Versailles. Until then people had seen animals in traveling shows where they were exhibited as curiosities. Traveling menageries were soon banned in Paris ensuring a steady stream of visitors to the new zoo. The eminent naturalists Comte de Lacepede 1756-1825 Cuvier and Geoffroy compiled a catalog of the animals in the zoo in 1801. Nicolas Marechal the museum’s painter documented the animals of the new zoo in watercolor paintings on vellum. The post-Revolution political mores the personnel associated with this project are referred to as ‘citoyens’ citizens. The print is dedicated to ‘Citizen Faujas-St. Pond Professor of Geology at the National Museum of Natural History Inspector of Mines of France etc. by Citizen Miger.’ Dedication in French reads: Dedie au Citoyen Faujas-St. Pond; Professeur de Geologie au Museum National d’histoire Naturelle Inspecteur des Mines de France & par le Citoyen Miger’. Paris: Miger, Patris, Grandcher & Dentu, An X., 1801. hardcover