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Stone curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus
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Stone curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus
Stone curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus.. Handcolored copperplate drawn and engraved by George Graves from his own British Ornithology, Walworth, 1821. Graves was a bookseller, publisher, artist, engraver and colorist and worked on botanical and ornithological books
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Media ID 14209770
© Florilegius / Mary Evans
1812 Curlew Graves Ornithology Burhinus Oedicnemus
EDITORS COMMENTS
This exquisite handcolored print depicts the Stone Curlew, Burhinus oedicnemus, a wading bird native to Europe, Africa, and Asia. The image was meticulously drawn and engraved by George Graves for his seminal work, "British Ornithology," published in Walworth in 1821. Graves was a versatile figure in the world of 19th-century natural history, serving variously as a bookseller, publisher, artist, and engraver. He brought his unique perspective and expertise to each aspect of his work, resulting in detailed and accurate representations of the natural world. The Stone Curlew is shown here in its distinctive pose, with its long, downward-curved beak and piercing, yellow eyes. The bird's plumage is depicted in intricate detail, from the fine feathers on its head and neck to the subtle variations in color on its wings and back. The background is rendered in soft, muted tones, drawing the viewer's focus to the bird itself. Graves's use of the copperplate printing process lends the image a sense of depth and texture, making it a true work of art as well as a valuable record of natural history. The Stone Curlew was an important subject for ornithologists of the time, as it was (and remains) a rare and elusive bird, with a distinctive call that echoes like a stone being thrown into water. Graves's beautiful print serves as a testament to the enduring fascination that birds have held for naturalists and artists alike, and to the importance of careful observation and documentation in the pursuit of knowledge. This print is a rare and valuable example of the high-quality work produced by George Graves and his contemporaries during the golden age of ornithological illustration. It invites us to appreciate the beauty and intricacy of the natural world, and to marvel at the skill and artistry of those who sought to capture it on paper.
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