François- Nicolas MARTINET (Paris, 1731 - Paris, 1794 or sho - Lot 137

François- Nicolas MARTINET (Paris, 1731 - Paris, 1794 or shortly thereafter) Northern Gannet Alpine Raven Watercolor over black stone, paper watermarked with fleur-de-lys for the Alpine Raven and 'I A' for the Northern Gannet. 253 x 390 mm 390 x 252 mm Provenance: France, private collection. His training as an engineer had trained him to master drawing and later engraving, and while developing a method for preserving bird plumage, he undertook the largest orthonological study of the time. He collaborated with Buffon, and with the help of members of his family, was able to draw, engrave and watercolor most of the birds recorded during the last third of the 18th century. Framed in natural wood with black patina