Items Similar to Four Pheasants
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 8
Joseph WolfFour Pheasants 1871
1871
About the Item
WOLF, Joseph (artist)
Four Pheasants
London, For the author, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street, 1871
Four original hand-coloured lithographic plates by Joseph Smit after Joseph Wolf.
A group of four beautiful lithographs of pheasants taken from the Monograph of the Phasianidae or Family of the Pheasants, by Daniel Giroud Elliot. Elliot, born in New York in 1835, was active in London for 10 years from 1869 publishing his monographs on pheasants and birds of paradise. He was a founder of the American Ornithologists’ Union. His luxurious books are notable for using the finest bird artists and lithographers of the time.
Framed and glazed, overall size: 72cm by 58.5cm by 4.5cm.
- Creator:Joseph Wolf (1820 - 1899, German)
- Creation Year:1871
- Dimensions:Height: 23.04 in (58.5 cm)Width: 28.35 in (72 cm)Depth: 1.78 in (4.5 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:Framed and glazed with glass.
- Gallery Location:London, GB
- Reference Number:
Joseph Wolf
Joseph Wolf was the most prominent ornithological artist to contribute illustrations to John Gould’s bird books. While growing up on a farm in Germany, Wolf roamed the countryside and developed a strong interest in observing and sketching the wildlife. In 1836 his father reluctantly permitted him to become an apprentice at a lithographic firm in nearby Coblenz (Jackson 1975, 63). After spending three years there improving his drawing skills and learning how to copy drawings onto the limestone blocks used for lithographic printing, Wolf returned to the family farm, but only for a year. Scientific contacts led him first to Darmstadt and then to Leiden in the Netherlands, where he progressed from illustrating ornithological books to become a painter of birds and animals. He improved his artistic skills still more by attending art school.
He developed the idea of depicting birds in motion, such as the dramatic scene of a Capercaillie escaping a fox that he drew for the publisher, Kern, in 1846 (Jackson 1975, 64). When revolution disrupted life on the European continent in 1848, Wolf took up the invitation of David William Mitchell, secretary of the Zoological Society of London, and assisted Mitchell in illustrating George Robert Gray’s book, Genera of Birds (1844-1849). In 1849 Wolf also began to provide John Gould with illustrations for The Birds of Great Britain (1862-1873), his approach being especially suitable for birds of prey (Jackson 1975, 67). For example, he shows the Hooded Crow stealing an egg from a nest (Figs. 2 and 3). Rather than commit to working full-time for Gould, Wolf retained his independence as a free-lance artist. Wolf’s biographer, Samuel Palmer, recounted that Gould enticed Wolf to visit and make charcoal drawings of birds for him by setting out Wolf’s favorite cigars and drawing materials. Whether that story is true or not, it is also recorded that Wolf objected to the overly bright tints chosen by Gould for coloring the lithographic prints (Jackson 1975, 67).
The drawings made by Wolf for The Birds of Asia (1850-1883) were his last for Gould Gould’s text about Bulwer’s Pheasant thanks the British Museum for loaning him the unique type specimen, “which has enabled me to prepare the accompanying Plate from the talented pencil of Mr. Wolf’ (Figs. 4 and 5). Wolf’s drawings were rendered on stone by Henry Constantine Richter, another Gould artist who had earlier worked on illustrations for Gray’s Genera of Birds. It must have been an oversight that Wolf’who had drawn the Painted Spurfowl for Gould, was not credited on the published plate. Source:
Website of University of Kansas Libraries: Gould History and Background
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1979
1stDibs seller since 2020
11 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: London, United Kingdom
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 14 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- A Group of Four engraved and hand-coloured Birds Nests.By Cornelis Nozeman and Jan Christiaan SeppLocated in London, GBNOZEMAN, Cornelius and Jan Christian SEPP. A Group of Four Birds Nests: NIDUS ARDEAE, Nycticoracis; NIDUS PLATALEA, Leucorodia; NIDUS ARDEAE STELLARIS and NIDUS PELECANI, Carbonis f...Category
1770s Naturalistic Animal Prints
MaterialsEngraving, Watercolor
- NOZEMAN & SEPP. A Pair of DucksBy Cornelius Nozeman and Jan Christian SeppLocated in London, GBDutch Birds NOZEMAN, Cornelius & SEPP, Jan Christian. Pair of Ducks: ANAS FERINA Mas and ANAS FERINA Foemina, from Nederlandsche Vogelen. Jan Christian S...Category
1770s Naturalistic Animal Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Engraving, Handmade Paper
- Group of Six Insects.By Jacob L'AdmiralLocated in London, GBL’ADMIRAL, Jacob. Group of Six Insects. [Amsterdam, Johannes Sluyter, 1774]. Group of six copper engravings with fine original colour, showing the metamorphosis of butterflies, m...Category
1770s Naturalistic Animal Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Laid Paper, Engraving
- Group of Six InsectsBy Jacob L'AdmiralLocated in London, GBL’ADMIRAL, Jacob. Group of Six Insects. Johannes Sluyter [Amsterdam 1774]. Group of six insects, copper engraved plates with fine original colour, showing the metamorphosis of bu...Category
1770s Naturalistic Animal Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Laid Paper, Engraving
- Group of Six Water FowlBy Alexander Pope Jr.Located in London, GBPOPE Jr., Alexander Group of Six Water Fowl. Group of Six chromolithographs of game-birds, each laid on to contemporary card (as published). [Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1878]. Alexander Pope...Category
1870s Naturalistic Animal Prints
MaterialsLithograph
- Chromolithograph of QuailBy Alexander Pope Jr.Located in London, GBChromolithograph of Ducks, laid on to contemporary card (as published). [Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1878]. Alexander Pope, Jr., was an American sculptor and painter. He’s kn...Category
1870s Naturalistic Animal Prints
MaterialsHandmade Paper, Lithograph
You May Also Like
- François Nicolas Martinet (1731-1800) Le pigeon ramier de Madacascar EngravingBy François Nicolas MartinetLocated in Meinisberg, CHFrançois Nicolas Martinet (French, 1731 - c. 1800) Le Pigeon Ramier de Madacascar (The Wood Pigeon of Madagascar) • 18th century hand colored Copper Plate engraving • Plate No. 192 from : L' Histoir e des oiseaux, peints dans leurs aspects apparents et sensibles, published in 1790 (“The History of the Birds, painted in their appearing and sensitive aspects“) • Glased & ebonized hardwood frame contemporary to the engraving, ca. 43 x 33 cm Worldwide shipping is complimentary - There are no charges for handling & delivery. A rare pigeon print...Category
18th Century Naturalistic Animal Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Laid Paper, Ink
- 4 plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars & their Strange Diet..By Maria Sibylla MerianLocated in Middletown, NYFour plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: LIV, LV, LVI, & LVII. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...Category
Early 18th Century Naturalistic Still-life Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Engraving
- 4 plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars & their Strange Diet..By Maria Sibylla MerianLocated in Middletown, NYFour plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With one 1.5 inch inch tear across the area of the top-left corner, well outside of image area. Handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: CXXI, CXXII, CXXIII, & CXXIV. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...Category
Early 18th Century Naturalistic Still-life Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Engraving
- 3 plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars & their Strange Diet..By Maria Sibylla MerianLocated in Middletown, NYThree plates from The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers. “Wolfsmelk Rupsen;" “Wolfsmilch, Raupe und Schmetterling" Amsterdam: J F Bernard, 1730. Each an engraving with hand coloring in watercolor and gouache printed on one sheet of watermarked Honig cream laid paper, each measures 6 1/4 x 5 inches (157 x 121 mm), sheet measures 20 5/8 x 14 inches (522 x 355 mm), full margins. With handling creases in the lower right sheet quadrant, as well as minor, loose cockling, otherwise in very good condition. The colors are superb with exceptionally fresh and bright saturation. Engraved between 1679 and 1683, printed 1730. Plates included: XLVIII; XLIX & L. MARIA SIBYLLA MERIAN was one of the most highly respected entomologists of the 17th century, and remains today one of the field's most significant figures. A German-born naturalist and scientific illustrator, she reared herself on the study of caterpillars, and made tremendous contributions to the knowledge of the life cycles of numerous species. Until her detailed and careful study of the process of metamorphosis it was thought that insects were "born of mud," through spontaneous generation. Trained as a miniature painter by her stepfather, she published her first book of illustrations in 1675, at the age of 28. In 1679, Merian published the first volume of the two-volume series on caterpillars, The Wondrous Transformation of Caterpillars and their Strange Diet of Flowers; the second volume followed in 1683. Each volume contained 50 plates that she engraved and etched. In 1699, Merian traveled to Dutch Guiana...Category
Early 18th Century Naturalistic Still-life Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Engraving
- Tree with moth, caterpillar..., Plate 39, Metamorphosis Insectorum SurinamensiumBy Maria Sibylla MerianLocated in Middletown, NYMetamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 39; Unidentified tree with moth, caterpillar and pupa. The Netherlands: 1705....Category
Early 18th Century Naturalistic Still-life Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Engraving
- Icecream Bean plant..., plate no. 58, Metamorphosis Insectorum SurinamensiumBy Maria Sibylla MerianLocated in Middletown, NYMetamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium, Plate No. 58; Ice Cream Bean Plant, Cloudless Sulphur Butterfly and Caterpillar with Mot...Category
Early 18th Century Naturalistic Still-life Prints
MaterialsWatercolor, Engraving