This flamingo botanical print appears in numerous places on the web. Most folks have simply shared the original scan from the Smithsonian libraries without editing. The original plate was included in the spectacular 102 volume Buffon’s ‘Planches Enluminiees.’ The flamingo was included in volume 5 which was published 1838.
With the facing page leaving huge shadows and more than a few spots, it seemed like a chance to offer you something no one else has. (Well, there is at least one person selling their cleaned up version for $6.)
I’ve included the original French text. There is no species name that matches. I’m guessing, but, I suspect our feathered friend is a Lesser Flamingo. The lesser flamingo is the smallest of the flamingos. While they may be smaller in stature, they are is believed to be most prolific of the genus. They are found in sub-Saharan Africa and northwestern India.
The flamingo botanical print will cover an entire A4 page when printed. To access the largest version of the file, simply click on the picture below.
This image is copyright free and in the public domain anywhere that extends copyrights 70 years after death or at least 120 years after publication when the original illustrator is unknown.
