Birds · 20th century
€ 390
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition for their age with light age toning to the paper and occasional minor spotting in the margins. The printed images remain clean and well preserved.
Antique Cormorant Bird Lithographs Set of 3, Scandinavian Birds Sweden 1929
This elegant set of three Scandinavian ornithological lithographs depicts several members of the cormorant family, powerful seabirds well known along the coasts and inland waters of northern Europe. The prints originate from the distinguished Swedish natural history series Svenska Fåglar Efter Naturen Och På Sten Ritade, published in Sweden in 1929 by the Stockholm publisher A. Börtzells. This series represents the refined Nordic tradition of early twentieth-century wildlife illustration, combining scientific precision with the restrained and harmonious aesthetic associated with Scandinavian design.
The three plates present different species and plumage stages of cormorants. Included in the set are the Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), shown both as an adult and as a younger bird, and the European Shag or Aristotelian Cormorant (Phalacrocorax aristotelis). These birds are characteristic inhabitants of northern European coastlines and rocky shores, where they are frequently seen perched on rocks or diving for fish beneath the water’s surface.
Each bird is depicted standing on a rocky shoreline, rendered with remarkable attention to feather structure, posture, and anatomical detail. The artist carefully captures the subtle iridescent tones and layered plumage patterns that characterize these dark seabirds. The compositions remain simple and balanced, allowing the viewer to focus on the distinctive form of the species while maintaining the calm decorative style typical of Scandinavian natural history illustration.
The Latin scientific names appear beneath each image together with Swedish vernacular descriptions, reflecting the educational purpose of the publication and its role in documenting the birdlife of the Nordic region. During the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Scandinavian publishers became widely respected for producing natural history works of exceptional clarity and visual quality. The Svenska Fåglar series stands as a fine example of this tradition.
Displayed together, the three lithographs form a striking decorative grouping. The dark, elegant silhouettes of the cormorants contrast beautifully with the warm ivory paper and subtle coastal settings. The set works particularly well in coastal interiors, libraries, studies, or Scandinavian-inspired spaces.
These are original lithographs printed in color during the lithographic process at the time of publication in 1929 and are not later reproductions.
Condition:
Good condition for their age with light age toning to the paper and occasional minor spotting in the margins. The printed images remain clean and well preserved.
Framing tips:
These prints frame beautifully as a coordinated wall arrangement. A museum-style presentation with generous ivory mats and simple walnut or oak frames works particularly well. They may be displayed as a horizontal row of three or in a balanced gallery grouping.
Technique: Color lithographs
Series: Svenska Fåglar Efter Naturen Och På Sten Ritade
Maker: A. Börtzells, Sweden, 1929
