Studies of four Butterflies and an Insect

Henstenburgh, a pastry baker by profession living in Hoorn, north of Amsterdam, was taught by Johannes Bronkhorst (1648-1727) as early as 1683. He became well known for his drawings of insects and still lives, and received commissions from collectors such as Agnes Block (d. 1704), while Cosimo III de 'Medici is known to have owned three of his drawings in 1700. Herman's son and pupil Anthony (1695-1781) followed his father's interest in insects drawing in the style of the present lot. Other works by the artist were exhibited in his home town, A. Zaal, Herman Henstenburgh (1667-1726), exhib. catalogue, Hoorn, 1991.