Titian Ramsay Peale 1799-1885

McClees Galleries, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Graham Gallery, New York
Acquired by the present owner from the above, circa late 1960's

A letter by the artist affixed to the reverse reads, "The two upper figures represent Victorina Stelences, a native of Mexico, The West Indies and South America.  The lower figures represent Dancius Plexipuss in three stages of its existence.  The caterpillar feeds on the leaves of various species of 'silk weed'--that represented is the most common--(Asclepias Syriaca)--a Virginian.  This species of butterfly is cosmopolite--formed in North America, West Indies, South America and Australia."