Flanders or northern France, ca. 1750. Four original watercolours (each ca 21 x 25 cm), mounted on larger sheets (each ca. 28 x 35 cm).

A collection of four detailed and accurate watercolours of birds, each in a natural setting, captioned with the bird's French vernacular name, and signed by the artist, "J. Vanhaudt", possibly the Fleming Joannis van Haudt (1697-1784). One signature is erased for an unknown reason. All four are made on laid paper and pasted on a larger sheet of laid paper with Dutch watermarks: J. Honig & Zoonen, "Pro Patria" and J. Honig & Zoonen, with a beehive (3x). Paper by J. Honig, renowned for its quality, was widely used in the 18th century. The birds depicted are the "Veille Bécassine Mâle" (snipe); Bécasse (woodcock); Pluvier dóre (golden plover); and Grive vulgairement le mauvis (redwing). The first three are indigenous to north-western Europe, the fourth is a wintering bird. Van Haudt drew it sitting on a stump, next to an autumn leaf. Two are mounted with the upper piece of paper to a stiffer later carton board. Some faint creases, but all four watercolours in a good state, with a few small spots only. A very good, unique set.