Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Usage Conditions May Apply Usage Conditions Apply There are restrictions for re-using this media. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page. IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and image viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. More - https://iiif.si.edu View Manifest View in Mirador Viewer Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Date c. 1751 Type ART-Prints, Original Medium Print, Etching on Paper, Uncolored Artist Louis Peter Boitard
 Physical Description Uncolored etching of a fantasy aerial battle. The scene shows one man aloft using two sticks with paddles on the ends as wings to fly. This is clearly a reference to the Swiss clock-maker Besnier who suggested just such an arrangement. Another man with small, broken, fan-like wings is hanging on to the other man's legs, as his wings are not working. A large crowd with classical clothes and odd hats is on the ground, watching. A large frog with baby frogs on its back is sitting in the foreground. Behind the frog is a large nautilus shell, and behind the shell is a cow with three eyes and six legs. 'L.P. Boitard Invt. & Sculp.' 'According to Act of Parliament 1751.' Dimensions Mat: 30.5 × 25.4cm (12 × 10 in.)
Unmatted: 20.8 × 15.2cm (8 3/16 in. × 6 in.)
 Inventory Number A20140668000 Credit Line Gift of the Norfolk Charitable Trust Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Usage conditions apply
For more information, visit the Smithsonians Terms of Use.