Birds · 18th century
€ 640
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
good. Vibrant colors, minimal fading. Paper shows light toning and minor foxing. Some minor handling marks, mostly outside plate-mark, not affecting image quality.
This hand-colored engraving, titled "Avis mellivora viridis macroura" (Long-Tailed Green Hummingbird) and "Le Colibri-Vert à longue-queue" in French, is a stunning depiction of a green hummingbird with an elongated tail, alongside two delicately rendered butterflies.
The scene features the bird almost in mid-flight, poised near a tree stump surrounded by naturalistic foliage. Its iridescent green feathers and distinctive long tail are beautifully contrasted against the black and white butterflies, showcasing a meticulous attention to detail. This engraving, part of Johann Michael Seligmann's famed 'Sammlung verschiedener ausländischer und seltener Vögel' (Collection of Various Foreign and Rare Birds), represents the artistry and scientific accuracy of 18th-century ornithological illustration.
Seligmann’s work, based on original illustrations by George Edwards and other notable naturalists, merges science and art in a way that captivated European audiences. George Edwards, celebrated for his groundbreaking *Natural History of Uncommon Birds*, provided the observational foundation for these engravings. Seligmann adapted these studies, incorporating vibrant hand-coloring and German and Latin annotations to appeal to a broader audience in Germany and beyond.
This particular engraving stands out due to its artistic balance and intricate coloring, bringing to life the exotic vibrancy of the hummingbird and its natural companions. The long-tailed hummingbird, a symbol of exotic beauty, is rendered with exceptional precision, making it a visual masterpiece and an important piece of ornithological history.
Keywords: long-tailed green hummingbird engraving, J.M. Seligmann, George Edwards, hand-colored print, 18th-century natural history art, exotic birds and butterflies, ornithological illustration, Avis mellivora viridis macroura, Le Colibri-Vert à longue-queue, rare bird prints for collectors.
This artwork is an excellent choice for collectors of antique natural history engravings, bird enthusiasts, or anyone seeking a timeless piece of scientific and artistic heritage for their collection or display.
