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Book, An Exposition of English Insects

This is a Book. It was written by Moses Harris and printed by Robson and Co. and Dilly.

This object is not part of the Cooper Hewitt's permanent collection. It was able to spend time at the museum on loan from Smithsonian Libraries and Archives as part of Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

It is dated 1776. Its medium is hand-colored engraving, brush and watercolor on paper.

Moses Harris, an artist and entomologist (insect specialist), designed one of the earliest organized color systems as a tool to help naturalists identify insect species. His early color wheel is based on the three “prismatic” (primary) colors: red, yellow, and blue.

It is credited Smithsonian Libraries, QL482 .G7H315 1776.

  • Fragment (India)
  • cotton ground, beetle elytra, gold foil strips, gilt sequins, gold....
  • Gift of Sarah Cooper Hewitt.
  • 1931-43-20

Our curators have highlighted 1 object that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

H x W (open): 30 × 46 cm (11 13/16 × 18 1/8 in.)

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/1108749895/ |title=Book, An Exposition of English Insects |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>