John Gould Little Brown Thornbill, Acanthiza pusilla c1848

$500.00

John Gould Acanthiza pusilla Australian Thornbill antique print. Original hand-coloured lithograph by John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter for Gould's “Birds of Australia ” published in London between 1840 and 1848. This series of illustrations by 'The Bird Man', John Gould (1804-1881), are the finest ever done of Australian birds.

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 a very successful businessman, Gould employed the finest lithographers of the day and closely monitored their work. He was also an astute businessman, and obtained subscribers to his magnificent works, to be able to afford publication. Gould's artist wife Elizabeth Coxen (1804-1841) was trained in lithography by Edward Lear. Elizabeth Gould came to Australia with her husband, remained in Tasmania with her children and her sister-in-law, drew many of the birds, and lithographed around 600 bird species for her husband's grand works. She died at the age of 37, following the birth of their eighth child after their return to England from Australia.

Original John Gould antique print in fine condition, measurings 535 x 370mm (21 x 14.5 inches). There is a foxing spot at the base on the left (which would be covered by matt when framing), and another small one at lower right. This is a delightful lithograph, but, as usual, has been priced according to condition.

Out of stock