Birds · 20th century
€ 319
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Good condition for its age with light age toning to the paper and minor spotting in the margins. A small area of light staining visible in the lower margin. The image itself remains clean and well preserved.
Antique Scandinavian Bird Lithograph, White Stork – Svenska Fåglar 1929
This refined Scandinavian ornithological lithograph depicts the elegant White Stork (Ciconia ciconia), one of Europe’s most iconic migratory birds. The print originates from the distinguished Swedish natural history series Svenska Fåglar Efter Naturen Och På Sten Ritade (“Swedish Birds Drawn from Nature and Rendered on Stone”), published in Sweden in 1929 by A. Börtzells. The series represents an important contribution to early 20th-century Nordic natural history illustration, combining scientific accuracy with a restrained and harmonious artistic style characteristic of Scandinavian design.
The composition shows the White Stork standing gracefully on a rocky outcrop, its long red legs and striking red beak contrasting beautifully with the delicate white plumage and black wing feathers. The artist carefully renders the bird’s anatomy and feather structure with subtle tonal lithographic shading, while the understated landscape background provides context without distracting from the central subject. The clean layout and generous margins give the print a calm, minimalist aesthetic that resonates strongly with contemporary interior design trends.
The plate includes the scientific name Ciconia ciconia Lin. and the Swedish title Hvit Stork, emphasizing the educational and scientific purpose of the series. Natural history publications of this type were produced for both scientific audiences and cultured households interested in the study of European wildlife. Lithography allowed artists to capture delicate tonal variations and feather textures that earlier engraving techniques could not easily achieve.
Today these prints are appreciated both by collectors of ornithological art and by interior designers seeking elegant natural subjects with a refined, understated palette. The balanced composition and soft coloration make the print especially suitable for Scandinavian, modern, or classic interiors. When framed with a generous ivory mat and a simple walnut or light oak frame, the work becomes a sophisticated decorative element while retaining its scientific charm.
This is an original 1929 lithograph from the Swedish publication and not a later reproduction.
Condition:
Good condition for its age with light age toning to the paper and minor spotting in the margins. A small area of light staining visible in the lower margin. The image itself remains clean and well preserved.
Framing tips:
This print displays beautifully with a generous museum-style ivory or warm white mat and a thin walnut, oak, or light Scandinavian-style frame. Such framing emphasizes the elegant simplicity of the composition and works well in both classic and contemporary interiors.
Technique: Lithograph
Series: Svenska Fåglar Efter Naturen Och På Sten Ritade
Maker: A. Börtzells, Sweden, 1929
Keywords:
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