Prepared over a period of almost 50 years and published in 36 volumes, Buffon’s Natural history brings together all that was known at the time in the field of the “natural sciences”. The work enjoyed a huge success, as is evident from the numerous reprints, popularised versions and pirate copies.
Buffon, a great scholar, attached considerable importance to illustrations. The engravings of animals are the work of Jacques de Sève and those of birds by François-Nicolas Martinet. With 2,000 engraved plates, Buffon’ds Natural history is an example of the image serving science … and also of science serving art.