The Orange-Spotted Tiger Clearwing
Limited Edition
Signed and numbered giclée print.
Each butterfly print comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Each size limited to 100 pieces, and is printed
on archival Hahnemühle German Etching paper.
Frames are custom made in Britain using English Oak,
African Obeche and specialist Rohm glass.
Description
The Orange-Spotted Tiger Clearwing, also known as the Disturbed Tigerwing
Latin Name: Mechanitis polymnia
Distribution: Found in the jungles of Central and South America, from Mexico through to the Amazon Rainforest
Size: 65 – 75 millimeters
The Orange-Spotted Tiger Clearwing is relatively petite for a butterfly, with a wingspan of 65 – 75mm (2.6 – 3 inches). This Clearing’s claim to fame is its extraordinary cocoon, which looks like it’s been made from chrome or dropped in liquid gold. This statement cocoon actually seems to confuse predators and protect the butterfly-in-waiting. The mirrored effect bounces light and seems to confuse the Tigerwing’s natural predators, and has led some experts to believe that it might have evolved to mimic bright water drops that drip from leaves. Others have suggested that predators catch a glimpse of their own reflection in the cocoon casing and are spooked.
The Orange-Spotted Tiger Clearwing cocoons are made from chitin, which is the same substance that gives insects like the jewel beetles their iridescent shiny shells. They’re so brightly mirrored that there’s a myth that they were once used as currency. Sadly, this seems unlikely as the cocoons are fragile and can’t withhold much handling. Their metallic chrome effect also dulls before the Tigerwing has even emerged.
This species was named by Carl Linnaeus in his 10th edition of Systema Naturae, published in 1758.
The Artwork & Limited Edition
The original Orange-Spotted Tiger Clearwing artwork was painted in watercolour in 2020, and is the same size as the limited edition medium print.
Limited Edition Print Size:
• Mini: 15 x 15cm, limited to 100 pieces
• Medium: 23 x 23cm, limited to 100 pieces
Every print is signed by the artist and comes with a certificate of authenticity. The certificate is signed, numbered, and comes in a fitted glassine envelope. A custom debossed seal is featured on the back.
The Frames
All frames are custom made in England.
The Wood
Frames are available in two wood varieties: English oak and dark African Obeche.
Oak is a pale cream wood characterised by its strength, durability and characterful grain. It was seen as the monarch of the forest by ancient Indo-Europeans, and our word for ‘tree’ actually derives from their word for ‘oak’ (*deru-).
Obeche is also known as the the African Maple tree. It’s a hardwood species that’s native to several west-central African countries, and its natural heartwood is a pale yellow colour that darkens with age. This wood has been dyed to mimic ebony woods, which are beautiful but endangered due to over-timbering. Dyed Obeche wood mimics wenge wood with its warm dark colouring, straight timber and durability – all without the ecological concerns.
The Glass
Glass is fragile, prone to breaking during shipping and, most importantly, it doesn’t offer the best protection for your prints in the long run.
Light breaks down paper over time, weakening and discolouring paper fibres. The pigments found in ink will also fade with too much exposure. That’s why most art museums filter UV from light sources using a variety of window-coverings and coatings, specialised art frames and reduce light exposure by limiting the number of hours a painting is on display.
There is one simple and effective way to protect your artwork at home; and that’s by using UV protective glass. These frames are made using specialist Rohm plexiglass, which is the highest grade of glass on the market today. This material should not be confused with cheap styrene or acrylic sheets used in department store frames – it’s highly transparent, beautifully bright, break-proof and offers seven times more UV protection than glass.
