François-Nicolas Martinet (1731-1790)

A prolific and accomplished artist, Martinet engraved illustrations for two of  the most influential ornithologists of the 18th century. Jacques Brisson and George Leclerc, le comte de Buffon, had radically differing views, but both men sought to lay a foundation for a scientific approach to ornithology. Martinet supervised a team of artists and assistants and his illustrations are characterized by their simple and spare design  framed by a gold colored line.