1769 Buffon French Engraving, Basset Hounds

An original 18th century French engraving from the 1769 edition of Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon’s Histoire Naturelle, Générale et Particulière, published in Paris by the Imprimerie Royale.

This wonderful plate depicts two early Basset types: Le Basset à Jambes Torses above and Le Basset à Jambes Droites below, literally distinguishing the dogs by their crooked and straight legs. Both are shown in profile against delicately engraved French landscapes, making this an especially interesting early depiction of the Basset type.

From Tome VI, the plate is signed Bréant Sculp.

Each engraving in this collection was individually removed from the same 1769 volume and is an authentic period print, not a later reproduction. Over 250 years old, the paper shows the expected signs of age, including toning, occasional spotting and variations along the edges.

France, 1769
Original copperplate engraving on laid paper