Georg Dionysius Ehret (German, 1708-1770) 
Spicebush Swallowtail Butterflies (likely Papilio paris) 
Watercolor on vellum 
Signed and dated lower right: G. D. Ehret. Pinxit. 1751. 
Paper size: 20 1/2 x 14 1/2" 
Frame size: 32 x 25 3/4" 

The German-born botanical artist Georg Ehret created a stunning watercolor that beautifully depicts swallowtail butterflies, likely the Papilio paris, also known as the Paris peacock. This butterfly species is native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, specifically found in northwestern India, southwestern China, northern Thailand, Vietnam, and southern Burma. Ehret’s drawing highlights the butterfly's intricate patterns and vibrant colors, making it a true masterpiece of natural history art.

Ehret’s drawing of the Papilio paris, dated 1751, predates Linnaeus’ naming of the species by seven years, as Linnaeus officially named it in 1758. The type specimen of Papilio paris is held at the Natural History Museum in London and interestingly, it has lost all of its blue and green coloration. Linnaeus often drew inspiration from Greek mythology when naming butterfly species; in this case, “paris” refers to Paris, the Trojan prince who, according to mythology, sparked the Trojan War by abducting Helen.

In the 18th century, it was often challenging to ascribe a species type to certain insects. This difficulty arose for several reasons; the exchange of insect specimens took long periods, during which the coloration of their wings could change. Additionally, insect species were traded through complex networks spanning multiple regions, leading to common errors in recording or labeling their places of origin. As a result, collectors and painters sometimes paired incorrect flora and fauna.

Species of Indian flora and fauna were rare in the English collections that Ehret frequented. More often, he depicted species from American colonial flora and fauna. It is possible that he thought he was portraying the colonial species Papilio troilus (the spicebush swallowtail butterfly), which shares very similar markings. This distinction can be tricky, as the drawing lacks the distinctive green spots and coloring typically seen in several species of Papilio paris; these green features are not characteristic of the spicebush swallowtail butterfly.