What is this “Scarabaeus” print, and where does it come from?

This is a vintage scarab beetle print based on Abgekürzte Geschichte der Insecten (Winterthur, seventeen seventy-six) by Johann Heinrich Sulzer. The original page was made as a hand-colored copperplate engraving by Johann Rudolf Schellenberg, designed as a clear, study-style entomology illustration.

Is this an original antique page or a modern reproduction?

It is a handcrafted historical replica, not an original seventeen seventy-six book page. You get the look of an eighteenth-century insect engraving as clean, display-ready insect wall art for your home decor.

How do you make it look like aged parchment?

We print on hand-processed paper with softly burned edges, then add gold paint highlights, and finish it with a beeswax seal for a warm parchment feel. Each piece is finished by hand, so small variations are normal and part of the handmade look.

Will it arrive safely if I order internationally?

Yes. We pack the print rolled and protected, then ship it in sturdy packaging made for international travel. The beeswax finish also adds a bit of surface toughness, so the print holds up well in transit.

Can you make a custom size for this scarab beetle wall art?

Yes, we can usually do custom sizing for this Sulzer scarab beetle print. Send us your target measurements (and frame size if you have one) and we will tell you what size will look best for this natural history wall art.

Scarabaeus - J. H. Sulzer, 1776. (Insects Wall Art)

This print feels clean and “study-like.” The beetles are spaced out so the page stays calm, and the fine linework gives it that real old-book look. It is easy wall art for a study, office, or quiet hallway, especially if your home decor leans natural history.

About this print

This insect print comes from Abgekürzte Geschichte der Insecten (Winterthur, 1776.), a German entomology book by Johann Heinrich Sulzer. It was built to teach people how to notice differences, so the layout stays simple and readable instead of turning into a scene.

The title “Scarabaeus” points to scarab beetles, and the page shows them as a clear set of forms you can compare at a glance. The original images were made as hand-colored copperplate engravings by Johann Rudolf Schellenberg, which is why the coloring feels careful and the lines stay crisp. In the same 1776. book, Hymenoptera shifts from beetles to bees and wasps, but keeps that same tidy, teaching-page approach.

Craft & finish

Every replica we make is individually hand-processed in our family workshop. We finish the paper with a traditional beeswax seal to give it a warm, heavy texture. Our team also adds subtle gold paint details by hand to help the artwork truly shine. To complete the look, we hand-burn the edges to give each piece the feel of a true historical artifact.

While our smaller sizes are perfect for gallery walls, our 43x61 cm Large replica is a museum-scale centerpiece. Because of the size, the hand-processing and beeswax application take much longer. This extra time and care ensures that every centimeter of the historic illustration is preserved with a rich, authentic glow.

Find more prints like this in the Vintage Insects Art collection.

Scarabaeus (J. H. Sulzer, 1776.) - Vintage Beetle Print

Name: Scarabaeus (J. H. Sulzer, 1776.) - Vintage Beetle Print
Brand: Artifex Replicas

€49.00

Size

Quantity

At Artifex Historical Replicas, we bridge the gap between museum archives and your home. Each piece is a handcrafted historical art print recreated from authentic primary sources, including antique city views and botanical illustrations.

Hand-Processed Paper: We use specialized paper with burned edges and a beeswax finish to replicate the weight and feel of genuine old parchment.

Gilded Details: Our workshop adds subtle real gold accents, bringing the same glow to your walls found in 16th-century illuminated manuscripts.

Custom Sizes & Worldwide Shipping: We offer bespoke sizing for custom frames and ship our historical replicas globally from our family workshop.

Explore our full guide on how we create, display, and restore parchment-style replicas.
Q1: What is this “Scarabaeus” print, and where does it come from?
A: This is a vintage scarab beetle print based on Abgekürzte Geschichte der Insecten (Winterthur, seventeen seventy-six) by Johann Heinrich Sulzer. The original page was made as a hand-colored copperplate engraving by Johann Rudolf Schellenberg, designed as a clear, study-style entomology illustration.

Q2: Is this an original antique page or a modern reproduction?
A: It is a handcrafted historical replica, not an original seventeen seventy-six book page. You get the look of an eighteenth-century insect engraving as clean, display-ready insect wall art for your home decor.

Q3: How do you make it look like aged parchment?
A: We print on hand-processed paper with softly burned edges, then add gold paint highlights, and finish it with a beeswax seal for a warm parchment feel. Each piece is finished by hand, so small variations are normal and part of the handmade look.

Q4: Will it arrive safely if I order internationally?
A: Yes. We pack the print rolled and protected, then ship it in sturdy packaging made for international travel. The beeswax finish also adds a bit of surface toughness, so the print holds up well in transit.

Q5: Can you make a custom size for this scarab beetle wall art?
A: Yes, we can usually do custom sizing for this Sulzer scarab beetle print. Send us your target measurements (and frame size if you have one) and we will tell you what size will look best for this natural history wall art.
Your handmade historical replica is finished with a traditional beeswax seal to create an authentic parchment texture. Because of this artisan process, care is slightly different than a standard poster:

Flattening: If your print has a slight curve from shipping, simply unroll it and place it under clean, flat weights (like books) for 24–48 hours.

Removing Creases: The beeswax finish is flexible. If a crease appears, gently warm the area with a hair dryer on low heat. As the wax relaxes, the crease will vanish into the paper. Note: Avoid open flames to ensure the safety of your art.

Display & Environment: To preserve the rich colors and wax texture, display your print away from direct sunlight, radiators, or humid areas. High heat can soften the wax, and UV light can fade historical inks over time.

Framing Tip: For the best archival look, we recommend framing behind glass in a dry, room-temperature environment.

Scarabaeus (J. H. Sulzer, 1776.) - Vintage Beetle Print

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