Insecta Hymenoptera Pl. 33 (1879) by Frederick DuCane Godman captures the Victorian passion for cataloguing nature with scientific grace. Godman, an English naturalist and discerning collector, was celebrated for advancing zoology and entomology and for championing ambitious catalogues of biodiversity. This plate presents members of the order Hymenoptera—ants, wasps, and bees—arrayed as precise specimens on a clean, light ground. The composition synthesizes taxonomy and aesthetics, reflecting a moment in the late nineteenth century when visual clarity was considered indispensable to scientific understanding.

This listing is for a museum-quality fine art print of Godman’s Victorian zoological illustration, produced by The Unique Maps Co. Choose from acid-free archival paper or artist’s cotton canvas, each printed with long-lasting, pigment-based inks. Multiple sizes are available, from study-friendly formats to statement pieces. Add a ready-to-hang frame, select a mat style, or request bespoke captions and sizing—our studio can personalize and customize your print to suit your space.

Frederick DuCane Godman (1834–1919) was a leading figure in British natural history, known for assembling vast collections and supporting meticulous scholarship. His collaborations helped document an extraordinary range of flora and fauna, and his patronage and editorial work fostered some of the nineteenth century’s most influential natural history publications. Godman’s dedication to accuracy and his insistence on exemplary illustration made plates like this one enduring references for both scholars and enthusiasts.

Hymenoptera is among the most ecologically important orders, encompassing social insects that shape ecosystems and pollinators essential to agriculture. In this plate, the clear separation of specimens against a bright, uncluttered ground mirrors Victorian methodologies: each insect is presented to emphasize diagnostic features, with careful attention to comparative scale and morphology. The resulting image is both an educational tool and a cultural artifact from an era fascinated by classification and discovery.

A restrained, earthy palette heightens legibility without sacrificing beauty: warm beige and tobacco-brown bodies, amber-orange markings, and subtle yellow notes unfold on a crisp white field. Fine, disciplined linework captures wing venation, segmented antennae, and delicate hair, while soft, transparent shading builds dimensionality. The balanced spacing and thoughtful layout guide the eye from specimen to specimen, making this an elegant focal point for a study, library, or modern living room. For those who appreciate scientific nomenclature, the work centers on the order Hymenoptera; common families represented in such plates often include Formicidae (ants), Vespidae (wasps), and Apidae (bees), underscoring the plate’s relevance for naturalists, beekeepers, and design lovers alike.

Thoughtful and refined, this print makes a distinctive gift for Christmas, Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, or a housewarming. It’s equally meaningful for a recent graduate in biology, a beekeeper or gardener, an entomology enthusiast, or anyone who loves the timeless intersection of art and science.

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.

This artwork is also available as a float framed canvas, sometimes known as a shadow gap framed canvas or canvas floater. The work is printed on artist's cotton canvas and then stretched over a handmade box frame. We then "float" the canvas inside a wooden frame, which is available in a range of colours (black, dark brown, oak, antique gold and white). This is a wonderful way to present an art print without glazing in front. See some examples of float framed canvas art and explore the differences between my different finishes.