Moses Harris Paintings

Moses Harris was an English entomologist and engraver, renowned for his work in the field of natural history illustration. Born in 1730, Harris's exact birthplace is not well-documented, but he was active in England during the 18th century. He showed an early interest in insects and art, which would later converge into a career that significantly contributed to the study and classification of insects.

Harris is best known for 'The Aurelian or natural history of English insects; namely, moths and butterflies', which he published in 1766. This was a landmark work in entomology not just for its detailed illustrations, but also for its scientific approach to the classification of insects. Harris's illustrations were notable for their accuracy and beauty, and he was one of the first to use the Linnaean system of taxonomy in English entomology.

Another significant contribution by Moses Harris is his color wheel, introduced in his book 'The Natural System of Colours' published in 1766, where he laid out the principles of color theory and color mixing. Harris's color wheel was one of the first to categorize colors into primary, secondary, and tertiary groups and was an early attempt to explain color relationships and harmonies. This work had a lasting influence on artists and naturalists, as it provided a structured method for understanding and using colors.

Throughout his life, Harris was an active member of the Society of Artists of Great Britain and later, the Royal Academy. Despite the importance of his work, Harris's life is not extensively documented, and many details about his personal life remain obscure. He died in 1788, leaving behind a legacy of contributions to both art and science that continued to influence future generations.