The Old Print Shop

Prunelle's Coeligene. (Coeligena Prunelli).

  • ARTIST: John Gould

  • MEDIUM: Lithograph handcolored,

    DATE: 1849-87.

  • EDITION SIZE: Average paper size 21 x 14" (534 x 354 mm).

  • DESCRIPTION: From "A monograph of the Trochilidae, or family of humming-birds." 6 vols. large folio. Published in London 1849-87. Printed by Hullmandel and Walter from drawings by J. Gould, H.C. Richter and William Hart, lithographed by the artists. <br><br> Gould’s hummingbirds are highly prized for their lavish botanical backgrounds and the iridescent paints often used. <br><br> British ornithological artist John Gould created the largest and most spectacular body of bird prints in the 19th century. His volumes, containing hundreds of hand-colored lithographs, covered species from the Himalayas to New Guinea. All were issued in large-folio format, enabling Gould to show each bird’s appearance in detail, usually in its natural habitat. From 1832 to 1881 Gould travelled the world seeking new specimens, often writing the scientific texts himself. He oversaw every phase of his operation, from securing and drawing specimens to soliciting subscriptions. Other artists who assisted him had substantial reputations of their own. They include his wife Elizabeth, Edward Lear, Henry C. Richter, Josef Wolf and William Hart. [Fine Bird Books 102. Buchanan, Nature into Art, 126ff. Skipworth, 60-114]

  • ADDITIONAL INFO:

  • CONDITION: Good condition with brilliant original color. From "A Monograph of the Trochilidae or Family of Humming-Birds." Printed by Hullmandel and Walter from drawings by J. Gould, H.C. Richter and William Hart, lithographed by the artists. Published in London, 1849-87..<br><br> John Gould's series on the Humming Birds is among the most beautiful of all his works. The images combine the named humming bird along with a beautiful flower which it is feeding from or nesting on and sometimes a landscape in the background. The birds are beautifully hand colored, often with gum arabic added to give the birds iiridescent coloring which is found on them in real life

  • REFERENCE: