English Watercolour of Insects, Circa 1790

Early watercolour on paper depicting six insects.  This watercolour came with a group of watercolours of shells painted for the famous Conchologist Thomas Martyn to be included in his book The Universal Conchologist.  He subsequently published a book called The English Entomologist, exhibiting All the Coleopterous Insects Found in England.  Martyn started The  Academy for Ilustrating and Painting Natural History in order to accomplish such extensive publications.  It is thought that this watercolour was painted by one of these artists, London, circa 1790.  In old gilt frame
Frame size:
Length 25cm
Width 22cm