The Fecal Hunter
18th century
Meet the 'Le Chasse-fiente,' a name that sounds like a fancy French dish but actually translates to the rather unglamorous 'dung chaser.' This 18th-century illustration depicts an Egyptian Vulture, easily spotted by its fluffy white neck ruff that looks like it's ready for a winter gala. The bird stands proudly on a mossy rock, completely unaware that its common name comes from its habit of scavenging through animal droppings for insects. Created during the golden age of scientific illustration, these hand-colored engravings helped Europeans visualize exotic wildlife long before photography existed.
- Technique
- Hand-colored engraving
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