18th Century French copperplate engraving. Histoire Naturelle, Ornithologie, herons, cranes. Plate 54. Approx 9 1/2" X 12 1/2". This antique engraving originates from 'The Encyclopeie ou Dictionnaire raisonne des sciences, des arts et des metiers, par une Societe de Gens de lettres' published under the direction of Diderot & d'Alembert, with 17 volumes of text and 11 volumes of plates between 1751 & 1772. It contained 72,000 articles written by more than 140 contributors. This encyclopedia was a massive reference work for the arts and sciences, as well as a means to propagate the ideas of the French Enlightenment. The impact of this encyclopedia was enormous. Artists & Engravers: Denis Diderot (1713-1784) was a French philosopher, art critic & writer. Jean le Rond d'Alembert (1717-1783) was a French mathematician, physicist & philosopher. These plates are engraved by J.A.Defehrt & Bonaventure/Benoit-Louis Prevost after J.R Lucotte or Goussier.