Scarabaeus (J. H. Sulzer, 1776.)

Description

A vintage insects print showing beetles in the plain, readable style of an 18th century natural-history page. The forms are spaced cleanly across the sheet, the color stays controlled, and the fine copperplate line keeps everything crisp, which is part of what makes it work naturally as insects wall art. It comes from Johann Heinrich Sulzer’s Abgekürzte Geschichte der Insecten, published in Winterthur in 1776, with hand-colored engraved plates by Johann Rudolf Schellenberg.

About the original

If you want to read more about the Scarabaeus by J. H. Sulzer click here for the complete backstory.

Craft & finish

Every replica we make is individually hand-processed in our family workshop. We finish the paper with a traditional beeswax seal to give it a warm, heavy texture. Our team also adds subtle gold paint details by hand to help the artwork truly shine. To complete the look, we hand-burn the edges to give each piece the feel of a true historical artifact. Because each piece is done by hand, no two replicas are exactly alike. Small differences in texture, edges, wax finish, and gold paint highlights are part of the character of the work.

While our smaller sizes are perfect for gallery walls, our 43×61 cm Large replica is a museum-scale centerpiece. Because of the size, the hand-processing and beeswax application take much longer. This extra time and care ensures that every centimeter of the historic illustration is preserved with a rich, authentic glow.

We offer custom sizes for custom frames and ship our historical replicas globally from our family workshop.

Learn more about how our parchment-style replicas are made.

How To Care For Your Beeswax-Finished Print

Your handmade historical replica is finished with a traditional beeswax seal to create an authentic parchment texture. Because of this artisan process, care is slightly different than a standard poster:

• Flattening: If your print has a slight curve from shipping, simply unroll it and place it under clean, flat weights (like books) for 24–48 hours.
• Removing Creases: The beeswax finish is flexible. If a crease appears, gently warm the area with a hair dryer on low heat. As the wax relaxes, the crease will vanish into the paper. Note: Avoid open flames to ensure the safety of your art.
• Display & Environment: To preserve the rich colors and wax texture, display your print away from direct sunlight, radiators, or humid areas. High heat can soften the wax, and UV light can fade historical inks over time.
• Framing Tip: For the best archival look, we recommend framing behind glass in a dry, room-temperature environment.