European Butterflies and Moths — Illustrations by William Forsell Kirby (1882)
Wings like tiny stained glass—emeralds, sapphires, ambers—arrayed with field-guide clarity. This fine-art reproduction—after plates from Kirby’s 1882 volume European Butterflies and Moths—melds scientific precision with decorative charm: crisp outlines, accurate markings, and tidy figure labels that make the composition as instructive as it is beautiful.
Why it captivates
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Scientific elegance — precise species forms and figure notation true to Victorian natural history.
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Colour & variety — a curated spread of Lepidoptera that reads like a jewel tray.
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Graphic impact — bold silhouettes hold across the room; micro-details reward close study.
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Timeless layout — neutral ground, balanced spacing, and clean taxonomic order.
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Conversation catalyst — where entomology, design, and print culture meet.
What you’ll see
A plate-style arrangement of European butterflies and moths showing dorsal and ventral views, accurate wing venation, antennae, tails, and species-specific patterning. Discreet numbered figure keys keep the page readable while signalling its scholarly origin. Subtle shading models form without clutter so silhouette, colour, and taxonomy stay front and centre.
A richer historical frame
Issued in 1882, Kirby’s work belongs to the late-Victorian golden age of natural-history publishing, when illustrated compendia aimed to educate and enchant. Plates like these balanced taxonomic rigour with aesthetic restraint, shaping how generations of students, collectors, and designers learned to read the living world.
Choose your finish
🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp linework, minimal glare.
💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—perfect for classrooms and busy spaces.
🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for long-lived colour and tone.
🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
Size (W × H)
696 × 841 mm (approx. 27.40 × 33.11 in)
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Orientation: Portrait
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Aspect ratio: ~0.827 : 1
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Nearest standard frame: A1 (594 × 841 mm) — portrait with a generous mat
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Framing tips:
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Classic look: use an A1 frame with a mat window cut slightly undersize (e.g., ~692 × 837 mm) to overlap edges by 2–3 mm.
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Contemporary look: float-mount in an A1 frame for a clean gallery reveal.
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Custom sizing: Available on request (alternate borders or scaled dimensions).
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | European Butterflies and Moths — Illustrations |
| Illustrator/Date | William Forsell Kirby, 1882 |
| Source | Plates after the book European Butterflies and Moths |
| Subject | European Lepidoptera; dorsal/ventral views with figure labels |
| Print Size | 696 mm (W) × 841 mm (H) |
| Available Finishes | Paper, Laminated, Laminated + Timber Hang Rails, Canvas, Canvas + Timber Hang Rails |
| Paper Weight | 160 gsm archival matte |
| Laminate | 2 × 80-micron gloss (true encapsulation) |
| Canvas Weight | 395 gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas |
| Inks | Pigment-based, fade-resistant |
| Optional Hang Rails | Natural timber, lacquered; fitted hanging cord (allow up to 10 working days) |
| Origin | Printed in Australia |
Who it’s for
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Natural-history enthusiasts and vintage-plate collectors
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Educators & students of entomology, art, and design
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Interior stylists seeking orderly colour with scholarly charm
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Gift-givers marking housewarmings and academic milestones
Our Commitment
Printed locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand—so your piece arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and fidelity of your print.
Curate your own Victorian study wall—order your fine-art plate today.
