Background:

These colorful antique Beetle prints are from the The Naturalist's Library. Sir William Jardine, who edited the series, commissioned experts throughout Europe to author each of the 40 volumes organized by four major topics - mammals, birds, insects and fish. The volumes included over 1300 hand-colored plates produced from engravings by William Lizars (1788-1859), the eminent Scottish engraver and painter of topographical views.

The hand-coloring on the Beetle prints is some of the most detailed found in The Naturalist Library, reflecting the great diversity of coloring in Beetles in real life.