John Gould Euphema Aurantia Orange-bellied Grass Parrakeet lithograph c1840-48.

$2,200.00

Elizabeth Gould Orange-bellied Grass Parakeet lithograph c1840. Original hand-coloured lithograph, drawn and lithographed from nature and on stone, by Elizabeth Gould for John 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. Also an astute businessman, he obtained subscribers to subsidize his magnificent works, and employed the finest lithographers of the day and closely monitored their work.

Whilst most people have heard of John Gould, many are unaware that his artist wife Elizabeth Coxen (1804-1841) (who had been trained in lithography by Edward Lear), came to Australia with her husband, remained in Tasmania with her children and her sister-in-law, and composed many of the drawings. She died at the age of 37, following the birth of their eighth child after their return to England.

This fine hand-coloured lithograph is in good condition, and much nicer than the digital picture. We provide a close up of the bird to show the fine detail of the image. The size of the page is as issued, 535 mm x 370 mm (21 inches x 14.5 inches).

Out of stock