Moths (Heterocera, Plate 36) by Frederick DuCane Godman, 1879

Frederick DuCane Godman’s Insecta Lepidoptera-Heterocera Pl 030 is a quintessential Victorian zoological illustration, first issued in the late 19th century as part of a larger scientific endeavor to record and classify the natural world. Dedicated to moths—the Heterocera—this plate balances art and science, presenting a carefully arranged array of specimens for close study. The white field, precise line work, and faithful coloration reflect the era’s belief that beauty and knowledge could coexist on the same page.

This listing is for a high-quality fine art print of Plate 30, produced by The Unique Maps Co. Choose museum-grade, acid-free archival paper or richly textured artist’s cotton canvas, both printed with long-lasting pigment inks. Multiple sizes are available, along with optional borders, matting, and custom framing to suit traditional or contemporary interiors. Personalization is welcome—add a discreet title line, plate number, dedication, or date to create a truly bespoke piece.

About the artist: Frederick DuCane Godman (1834–1919) was an English naturalist whose meticulous approach to collecting and documenting fauna helped shape modern entomology and ornithology. His work emerged from a Victorian culture eager to catalog the world, and he championed the visual recording of species as a vital tool for science. Godman’s plates exemplify the union of field observation, taxonomic accuracy, and refined draftsmanship.

About the plate: Heterocera denotes the moth branch of Lepidoptera, distinct from butterflies (Rhopalocera). Here, each specimen is carefully positioned, numbered, and accompanied by its Latin name, underscoring the plate’s original role as a scientific reference. Created in the age of lithography—when fine detail could be reproduced with fidelity—plates like this brought emerging knowledge to scholars, students, and the wider public, fueling an enduring fascination with biodiversity.

Color and design: Against a crisp white background, moths display warm yellows, amber-ochres, and soft orange markings, tempered by natural browns and quiet greys. Fine line work captures the delicate scales and veins of the wings, while the symmetrical shapes read as both orderly and alive. The measured spacing and clear labeling make the composition legible from a distance, yet intricate up close—equally at home in a study, library, living room, or gallery wall. It’s a timeless reminder that scientific clarity can be profoundly decorative.

This print makes a thoughtful gift for nature lovers, entomologists, and design aficionados alike—perfect for Christmas, birthdays, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, graduations, or a housewarming. It’s also a meaningful present for a teacher, researcher, or anyone recently inspired by a museum visit or time spent in the field observing the quiet elegance of moths.

If you're not sure what size to order, or you're looking for a custom order of some kind – a different size, a different colour, a special frame – then please contact me. I usually respond within a few minutes.

You can see an example of my fine art personalisation service in the fifth image. Zoom in and take a look. My personalised artwork is always very well received. Take a look at more examples of personalisation.

You can also choose to age your art print to make it look older. This is popular amongst my customers who want their artwork to look like an older, antique print. You can see an example of ageing in the sixth product image, or go ahead and check out lots of examples of other aged artwork.

The model in the listing images is holding the 18x24in (45x60cm) version of this art print.

I can print and frame this beautiful piece of art at sizes up to 3 metres (10ft). If you are looking for a size or framing option that isn't available online, please get in touch.

This artwork is available as a giclée print on acid free archival matte paper, or you can buy it framed. My standard frames come in six colours (black, dark brown, dark grey, antique gold, oak and white), and custom framing is available for an additional charge. My frames are glazed with super-clear museum-grade acrylic (perspex/acrylite), which is significantly less reflective than glass, safer, and will always arrive in perfect condition.