John Gould Australian Fairy Sandpiper, Actitus Empusa Lithograph c1848.

$800.00

John Gould Actitus Empusa, Fairy Sandpiper lithograph c1848.

Original hand-coloured lithograph by John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter for Gould's Birds of Australia (the finest series ever done on Australian Birds), published in London between 1840 and 1848 by 'The Bird Man', John Gould (1804-1881).

John Gould was a brilliant ornithologist who devoted his life to the study of birds. Gould had a fine eye for detail and knew his limitations as an artist so he employed the finest lithographers of the day and closely monitored their work. He was also an astute businessman, and obtained subscribers to subsidise his magnificent publications. Gould's artist wife Elizabeth Coxen (1804-1841) was trained in lithography by Edward Lear. She came to Australia with her husband and remained in Tasmania while he travelled around Australia sketching birds in their habitats. Elizabeth Gould did around 600 beautiful lithographs for her husband. She died at the age of 37, following the birth of their fifth child after their return to England from Australia.

This charming original John Gould print of Fairy Sandpipers is in good condition except for foxing at lower right corner. We provide a close up of the bird to show the fine detail of the lithograph. If you would like further pictures please email sales@antiqueprintclub.com.  The size of the page is as issued, 370mm x 535 mm (14.5 inches x 21 inches).