John Gould Australian Goshawk Astur Cruentis hand-coloured lithograph c1840.
$1,700.00
John Gould West-Australian Goshawk antique print c1840. Original hand-coloured lithograph by John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter for Gould's “Birds of Australia ”. Published in London between 1840 and 1848, these are the finest illustrations ever done of Australian Birds.
John Gould (1804-1881) was a brilliant ornithologist who devoted his life to the study of birds. He 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. John Gould obtained subscribers prior to his ambitious projects to finance his publication of large and beautiful hand-coloured bird lithographs.
Whilst most people have heard of John Gould, many are unaware of the important contribution made by his artist wife Elizabeth (Coxen) Gould (1804-1841), who was taught lithography by the great bird artist Edward Lear. Elizabeth came to Australia with her husband, and remained with the oldest of their children in Tasmania, where she composed many of the drawings for the hundreds of lithographs that would be done in London. After completing around 600 lithographs, Elizabeth died at the age of 37, following the birth of their eighth child after their return to England.
In fine condition, this is a beautiful lithograph. The digital photo does not do it justice. The size of the page is as issued, 535 mm x 370 mm (21 inches x 14.5 inches).
Out of stock
