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Selby's Large Illustrations of Crakes: Varieties and Gender Dimorphism, 1826

About the Item

Large original hand-colored antique ornithological print made by Selby and published around 1826. The text identifies the species depicted in the illustration as follows: 1. Spotted Crake, Male 2. Spotted Crake, Female 3. Baillon's Crake 4. Little Crake, Male The illustration features four birds, two species of crakes, each shown with a male specimen. The Spotted Crake (Porzana porzana) is a small waterbird in the rail family. It is known for its spotted and barred plumage and can be found in wetlands across Europe and Asia. The female, as noted, would have similar markings but may differ slightly in coloration or pattern intensity. Baillon's Crake (Porzana pusilla) is another small bird in the rail family, named after the French naturalist Louis Antoine François Baillon. It tends to be smaller than the Spotted Crake and has distinctive chestnut and black markings. The Little Crake (Porzana parva) is also a member of the rail family and is characterized by its small size and the male typically having a blue-grey face and underparts during the breeding season. 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:

1820-1829

Date of Manufacture:

1826

Condition:

Good, almost excellent condition, especially considering age. Very light soiling in the middel of the print, hardly visible. Study the images carefully.

Seller Location:

Langweer, NL

Reference Number:

Seller: BG-13679-21stDibs: LU3054338182602

Selby's Large Illustrations of Crakes: Varieties and Gender Dimorphism, 1826

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