English Hand Colored Lithograph of Hummingbirds, John Gould

A wonderful avian artwork depicting a pair of Blue-breasted Sapphire Hummingbirds of South America on an exotic flower. This lithograph was illustrated in Gould’s A Monograph of the Trochilidae or Family of Hummingbirds, one of his most noteworthy publications.

John Gould grew up in a nature-focused environment where he evolved as a royal gardener, expert taxidermist, and zoological society curator in London, where his study and knowledge of birds excelled.  James Audubon, an American contemporary, spent time with him. Interestingly, John Gould did sketches, and the plates were initially drawn and lithographed by his wife, Elizabeth Coxen Gould. She was eventually joined in her work by other well-established artists. This lithograph indicates that H. C. Richter (Henry Constantine Richter, 1821-1902) was the artist/illustrator involved.

A silvered gilt frame and grasscloth matting complete the presentation of this Gould lithograph. It will add a lovely touch of the natural world to any space and blend seamlessly with various decor.

19 3/4″H x 13 1/2″W Image

29 1/2″H x 22 1/2″W Frame

Circa 1849-1861