Family of Hummingbirds - Antique Originals

Considered John Gould’s masterpiece in both breadth and beauty, Monograph of the Trochilidae or Family of Humming Birds (1849 -1861) comprises 418 plates. Depicted and lithographed on stone by artists John Gould, Henry Constantine Richter and William Matthew Hart, each plate exquisitely portrays these delicate, evocatively colored birds with the flowers indigenous to their area. Strong botanical elements add a dimension not found in other bird folios while the use of gold leaf, transparent oil colors, watercolors, lacquers, and gum arabic are combined to capture the iridescent, jewel-like quality of birds.