1824 Omai, Mai, Pacific Islander, Brodtmann, folio, stone lithograph, ethnology

Mai, mistakenly known as Omai in Britain, was a young Ra'iatean man who became the second Pacific Islander to visit Europe, after Ahu-toru who was brought to Paris by Bougainville in 1768.

After the painting by Joshua Reynolds.

Hand coloured. As such extremely rare.

Stone lithography was the first printmaking technology that allowed a traditional artist to work using traditional techniques, and to create prints that could rival an original painting in terms of detail, mood and color variations.

Handsomely illustrated by one of the finest stone lithographers of the day, Joseph Brodtmann (1787-1862), whose works have always been admired for their scientific accuracy as well as their aesthetic appeal. Brodtmann employed techniques for "texture" that are quite similar to that of an aquatint

A handsome example of his Brodtmann's aesthetic sense and skill in the medium complemented by EXCEPTIONAL ORIGINAL HAND COLOURING (found only very rarely). 

Trained as a physician, Schinz (1777-1861) taught natural history at the University in his native Zürich, where he also served as curator for the natural history society. He was a prolific and popular author of zoological works, including volumes on birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians. 

[Issued in: SCHINZ, HEINRICH RUDOLF]. BRODTMANN, KARL JOSEPH, Lithographer.

NATURGESCHICHTE UND ABBILDUNGEN DER SÄUGETHIERE]

[Zürich: Brodtmann, 1824].

FOLIO LEAF: 33 x 23.4 cm