Insecta Coleoptera Pl 110 (1879) by Frederick DuCane Godman is a quintessential Victorian zoological illustration—an elegant fusion of scientific rigor and refined artistry. Created at the height of 19th‑century enthusiasm for natural history, this plate presents members of Coleoptera (the order of beetles) with a clarity designed for study and a beauty intended to inspire. Godman, an English naturalist renowned for his broad contributions to zoology, brings the meticulous eye of a collector-scholar to every contour and sheen, aligning the work with the era’s drive to catalog the natural world.

This listing offers a museum-quality fine art print of Godman’s plate, reproduced with exceptional fidelity. Choose from acid-free archival paper—smooth, bright, and perfect for crisp detail—or artist’s cotton canvas for a subtle, gallery-ready texture. The Unique Maps Co. provides multiple size options to suit your space, plus professional framing and matting services. Personalization is available too: add a plate caption, a date line, or custom sizing to build a coordinated series or a standout single piece.

About the artist: Frederick DuCane Godman (1834–1919) was a leading English naturalist whose work bridged ornithology and the wider study of zoology. He is best remembered for helping to produce expansive surveys of biodiversity, bringing scholarly discipline and a collector’s zeal to the endeavor. Godman’s plates epitomize the 19th‑century ideal that art should serve knowledge—each illustration a precise visual record meant to be read as much as admired. Works like this plate sit at the meeting point of museum-quality documentation and refined design.

About the subject: Coleoptera, the beetles, form the largest order of insects, remarkable for their protective forewings (elytra) and astonishing diversity of shapes and adaptations. Victorian naturalists were captivated by this variety—studying patterns, antennae structures, and leg forms to distinguish families and genera. Presented as a numbered plate, Godman’s arrangement reflects the era’s systematic taxonomic publishing: specimens are ordered with an almost architectural clarity so researchers and enthusiasts could compare forms at a glance.

About the style and color: The white ground sets a crisp stage for meticulously rendered beetles in naturalistic greens, inky blacks, warm browns, and touches of metallic iridescence. Fine, precise line work describes the domed elytra and segmented legs, while delicate shading models each carapace to a lifelike gloss. Subtle notes of orange and beige warm the composition, adding period charm without sacrificing scientific restraint. The result is a timeless print that suits both modern minimal interiors and traditional libraries—an ideal statement piece for nature lovers, design connoisseurs, and anyone drawn to the beauty of careful observation.

This print makes a thoughtful gift for Christmas, birthdays, housewarmings, or Father’s and Mother’s Day. It’s especially perfect for a study, office, or reading nook—and a meaningful present for the entomologist, the natural-history buff, or anyone recently returned from travels that kindled a love of the world’s biodiversity.

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.