Butterfly on Flowering Branch with Shadows , Fine 19th Century Watercolor scuffs and a relatively rare one

and a relatively rare one to find

6" x 3 3/4" and in good

and think they make quite a handsome and happy couple

I believe this likely is mid 20th century or so from the Northwest Territories/Nunavut

Butterfly on Flowering Branch with Shadows , Fine 19th Century Watercolor scuffs and a relatively rare oneA couple more today from a group of beautifully executed 19th c. ink and watercolor butterflies, likely done by a young woman, 1870s or so I would guess and this one as much a botanical study as a butterfly portrait. Feels to me almost akin to a Mapplethorpe photograph of a flower quite a suggestive, velvety red orchid like bloom looking poised to swallow that butterfly! Quite finely done, with pale ink wash shadows enhancing its sense of realism and