Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 7

"Plate XV: The Sandpipers - A Study in Seasonal and Developmental Plumage, 1826

About the Item

Large original hand-colored antique ornithological print made by Selby and published around 1826. This particular print from Prideaux John Selby's "Illustrations of British Ornithology" showcases the Dusky Sandpiper and the Common Sandpiper, each depicted in two different life stages or seasonal plumages. The print is an exquisite example of Selby's talent for capturing the subtle nuances of avian life in his works. The detailed etching work and careful coloring suggest that these illustrations are aimed at both ornithologists for study purposes and art enthusiasts for collection. The artist, Prideaux John Selby (1788–1867), was an English ornithologist, botanist, and artist renowned for his detailed and realistic illustrations of birds. His work "Illustrations of British Ornithology" was a significant contribution to scientific knowledge of British birds in the 19th century and is known for its accuracy and the beauty of its illustrations. Selby's works are an important part of the history of ornithological art and study. Prideaux John Selby is often ranked among the greatest avian illustrators, sharing the distinction with peers such as John James Audubon and John Gould. His illustrations were characterized by both ornithological precision and a sense of aesthetic grace, rendering each bird in its natural habitat with a focus on both scientific detail and visual charm. Mirroring Audubon's approach, Selby's renditions were notable for their life-sized portrayals. Selby's personal involvement in the etching process of his grand folio series set him apart, as he took on the intricate task of engraving many of the plates himself—a skill he learned from his brother-in-law, Admiral Robert Mitford. Mitford not only taught Selby the etching technique but also actively participated in creating the etchings for "Illustrations of British Ornithology." Christine E. Jackson, a scholar, highlighted the unique aspects of Selby's artistry, praising the refined and understated elegance of his plates—a stark contrast to the ornate Victorian style of John Gould. Jackson commended Selby for producing what were at the time the most life-like and dynamic representations of British birds, marking a significant departure from previous depictions that often appeared rigid and diminutive. This leap in the portrayal of birds, with its combination of life-sized, animated illustrations, represented a monumental step forward in the art of bird illustration. The paper's watermark, J. Whatman, indicates the paper manufacturer, which was a renowned English papermaking company known for high-quality drawing and writing papers. The dates 1822-28 suggest the period during which the paper was produced but the watermark show the year 1826. We have more bird prints of Selby online.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25.99 in (66 cm)Width: 21.26 in (54 cm)Depth: 0 in (0.02 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Paper,Engraved
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1826
  • Condition:
    Excellent, especially considering age. Study the images carefully.
  • Seller Location:
    Langweer, NL
  • Reference Number:
    Seller: BG-13679-41stDibs: LU3054338182912

More From This Seller

View All
Seasonal Plumage of the Sanderling: Selby's Ornithological Study, 1826
Located in Langweer, NL
Large original antique print with two illustrations of birds, which are finely detailed and colored, from a series of ornithological studies. The print is engraved with the signature...
Category

Antique 1820s Prints

Materials

Paper

The Little Auk - A Life Seize Study Engraved in Seasonal Plumage by Selby, 1826
Located in Langweer, NL
This print from "Illustrations of British Ornithology" by Prideaux John Selby features the Little Auk in both its summer and winter plumages. The illustration captures the distinctiv...
Category

Antique 1820s Prints

Materials

Paper

Depiction of the Common Turnstone: Seasonal and Sexual Plumage Variations, 1826
Located in Langweer, NL
Large original hand-colored antique ornithological print made by Selby and published around 1826. The image is a colored etching from "Ill...
Category

Antique 1820s Prints

Materials

Paper

Seasonal Plumage of a Life Seize Engraving of the Common Oystercatcher, 1826
Located in Langweer, NL
Large original hand-colored antique ornithological print made by Selby and published around 1826. This engraving is an exquisite print fro...
Category

Antique 1820s Prints

Materials

Paper

Large Engraving by Selby of The Black Tern in Seasonal Transformation, 1826
Located in Langweer, NL
Large original hand-colored antique ornithological print made by Selby and published around 1826. The print from Prideaux John Selby's "Il...
Category

Antique 1820s Prints

Materials

Paper

Old Bird Print of the Tahiti Sandpiper or Tahitian Sandpiper, 1854
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Tringa Leucoptera'. Old bird print of the Tahiti sandpiper or Tahitian sandpiper (Prosobonia leucoptera). This print originates from 'Bijdragen tot de Dierk...
Category

Antique 1850s Prints

Materials

Paper

You May Also Like

1826 George Smith’s The Upholsterer’s Guide A Hand Tinted Textile Engraving
By George Smith
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A original hand coloured copperplate engraving from George Smith’s The Cabinet-Maker and Upholsterer’s Guide published by Jones & Co, London, 1826. George Smith was upholsterer and ...
Category

Antique 1820s English George IV Prints

Materials

Paper

19th Century F.O. Morris Engraving of a Spotted Sandpiper
Located in High Point, NC
Mid-19th century hand-colored copper engraving of a Spotted Sandpiper. This is from his collection of British birds.
Category

Antique 19th Century English Victorian Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Sir Walter Scott in His Study at Abbotsford, 1846
Located in Savannah, GA
An engraving after the painting by William Allan (Scottish, 1782-1850) depicting Sir Walter Scott in his study at Abbotsford. It was published in New York in 1846 by Henry Samuel Sad...
Category

Antique 1840s American Other Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Peter Paul Rubens Six Plate Engraving, The Battle of the Amazons
By Peter Paul Rubens
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of a large engraving assembled from six printing plates, by well known German artist Peter Paul Rubens (1577-1640). Rubens was born in Siegen, Westphalia, Germany and ...
Category

Antique 17th Century Belgian Prints

Materials

Paper

Jennifer Printz "As in the Heavens" and "And on the Earth Below" Prints, 2013
By Jennifer D. Printz
Located in New York, NY
Contemporary artist Jennifer Printz "As In The Heavens and And On The Earth Below" hand-printed woodcut on Kozo paper prints are matted and framed in wood with anti-static, non-glare...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Prints

Materials

Wood, Paper, Plexiglass

Henry Moore Lithograph Studies of Three Standing Figures in Gilt Frame
By Henry Moore
Located in Atlanta, GA
Henry Moore lithograph, entitled Studies of Three Standing Figures, English, circa 1960s. Beautifully framed in a 22 karat gold reeded frame with silk...
Category

Vintage 1960s English Mid-Century Modern Prints

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Recently Viewed

View All