Spangled Soarer: The Cotinga of the Canopy, circa 1820
€ 200
One of a kind: this is the sheet in the photographs. Ships from Langweer, the Netherlands.
Date
1820
Sheet size
26 × 20.5 cm (10.2 × 8.1 in)
Condition
Fair
Reference
BG-13674-34
Condition
Fair, given age. General age related toning and soiling but mostly around the edges and mostly outside the image. Occasional tears, outside the image. Old hand-coloring. Two edges cut rough. Please study the images carefully.
About this sheet
The print is a beautifully detailed hand-colored lithograph from the early 19th century, attributed to Carl Wilhelm Hahn. It showcases the Spangled Cotinga (Cotinga cayana), a bird known for its striking plumage and vibrant colors. The lithograph is part of a series, as indicated by the text "XIII Lieferung 28 Tafel," suggesting it's the 28th plate of the 13th installment of a collection.
The top left corner of the print features a detailed study of the bird's head, capturing the intricate details of the beak and the eye, which is a common method used by ornithological illustrators of the time to provide a closer look at the bird's features. The main illustration depicts the Cotinga in a dynamic pose, with its wings folded and one foot raised, as if it's about to perch. The richness of the blues and the subtle gradients of color in the feathers are meticulously rendered, highlighting Hahn's attention to detail and skill in naturalistic illustration.
The text beneath the bird reads: "Cotinga cayana - Linn. a Cayenne. Ex Avium magnum naturali grandezza minuti etc." This line indicates the bird's scientific name, followed by a reference to Cayenne, which suggests the region where this species can be found, likely referring to Cayenne in French Guiana. The phrase "Ex Avium magnum naturali grandezza minuti etc." implies that the bird is drawn to the natural grand size, with minute detailing.
The term "Der kleine Madenvogel" is peculiar and does not correspond with modern common names for the bird, which may reflect historical or regional vernacular names or a specific aspect of the bird's behavior or diet that was of interest at the time.
The print is finished with "nach der Natur gezeichnet von Dr. Hahn" and "Auf Stein gegrundet von C. Beich in Nürnberg," which translate to "drawn from nature by Dr. Hahn" and "founded on stone by C. Beich in Nuremberg," respectively. This credits Hahn as the illustrator and Beich as the one who transferred the illustration onto the lithographic stone for printing, in Nuremberg, a center for publishing at the time.
