You probably recognise these natural history posters as they are very popular and have been sold as gift wrap and prints. They were painted by the French painter and entomologist Adolphe Millot in the late 19th and early 20th Century.
These gorgeous natural history paintings were for the book the Nouveau Larousse Illustré a French encyclopedia first published in 1905. I have included here the identification posters Millot painted for insects, birds, and butterflies.
The animal posters of mammals and reptiles from the Larousse books can be found here. Emile Deyrolle is also another Frenchman that created a wonderful collection of natural history posters.
Vintage Natural History Poster (Insects, Birds, and Butterflies)

To download the natural history posters just click on the highlighted title and a pdf will download to your computer immediately.
The PDF downloaded vintage natural history poster will be of a higher resolution then the images below.
You can see the complete collection of vintage educational posters on Pictureboxblue here.

THE VINTAGE NATURAL HISTORY POSTERS “THE BIRDS & THE BEES”
Insect Posters 1-3
Poster 1. Insects Adolphe Millot
This natural history poster contains lovely illustrations of bees, flies, wasps, beetles, and other flying insects. Check out these other vintage insect prints.
I’ve used a poster like this before for a unique cupboard upcycle.

Poster 2. More Adolphe Millot Insects
Another natural history poster of insects. This time they are mainly grasshoppers and beetles. For more detailed insect images check out the of amazing insect art of JORIS HOEFNAGEL.
If you are looking for wonderful dragonfly drawings there are more here.

Poster 3: Insects Useful and Harmful
One more natural history poster of insects by Adolphe Millot. This time however he categorises the insects into 2 distinct groups; useful (utiles) and harmful (nuisibles).
There are some beautiful insect illustrations with plants in the Maria Sibylla Merian collection.

Bird Posters 4-8
Poster 4: Oiseaux (Birds) Collection
This is a gorgeous colour, illustrated poster of tropical birds, from parrots to birds of paradise; for more tropical birds, check out the parrot paintings of Edward Lear.

Poster 5: Oiseaux Pour Tous (More Birds)
More bird illustrations. This time a much wider variety from game, wetland, seabirds and large flightless birds. Such as ostriches and emus.

Poster 6: Even More Birds (Oiseaux Pour Tous A)
This collection of bird paintings includes birds of prey, such as vultures and owls. There is also a large collection of tropical birds, such as parrots, cockatoos, and toucans. Each bird is labelled individually.

The natural history poster of Aldophe Millot is a fabulous illustrated collection of brightly
There are more feather illustrations here.

Poster 8.Natural History Poster of Oeufs (eggs)
This is a great poster for egg identification. A great collection of egg paintings each labeled and named.
There are more birds nest and egg illustrations on the site.

Butterfly Posters 9-10
Poster 9. Papillons (Butterfly) Poster
A beautiful collection of butterfly paintings for identification. These would be great for a decoupage craft project. You can find more vintage butterfly charts here.

Poster 10: A Second Papillons (Butterfly) Poster
Another beautifully illustrated vintage butterfly identification poster.

Don’t forget to check out the sea life posters of Adolphe Millot and his antique botanical posters. Also, he made a collection of fruit and vegetable posters.

You might want to check out these other free vintage paintings.
Alar
Thursday 23rd of November 2023
Thank for these gorgeous and diverse images. I’m fascinated to the point of being obsessed with them! I much appreciate the fact that you’ve also taken the trouble to provide insightful and detailed information. Thank you for your generosity.
claire
Friday 24th of November 2023
Thank you, you're welcome. They are beautiful images I just had to share.
Yamila
Saturday 18th of November 2023
Hermosas imágenes. Muchísimas gracias!!! Saludos desde Argentina.
claire
Sunday 19th of November 2023
You're welcome and thanks for visiting.
Lauren
Saturday 28th of October 2023
These are stunning! Thank you
claire
Sunday 29th of October 2023
I'm glad you enjoyed them, thank you.
Nellie
Saturday 19th of August 2023
Thank you very much for all the lovely images. Be sure that everybody enjoys them.
claire
Sunday 20th of August 2023
Thank you glad you enjoyed them.
David
Wednesday 26th of October 2022
Love these illustrations, think I will see if they can be purchased poster size for framing. Wonderful.
claire
Wednesday 26th of October 2022
Thank you, Cavalini make gift wrap posters in lots of vintage illustrations like these, which can be framed.