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1807 Gray Kingbird Print - 'Le Tyran Gris' Antique Ornithological Illustration
£415 ($550, €490)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1807
- Size
- 20.3 × 13.5 in (51.5 × 34.4 cm)
- Condition
- Good. General age-related toning. Minor wear and foxing, blank verso. Please study image carefully.
- Period
- Early 19th century
- Section
- Birds
- Reference
- f_39075552
This handcolored antique print titled 'Le Tyran Gris' features the Gray Kingbird (Tyrannus dominicensis), a bird native to the Americas and recognized for its assertive behavior. The kingbird is presented in a poised posture on a branch, with its head turned to the side, allowing a full view of its profile. The print captures the bird’s sleek gray plumage, with lighter underparts and distinctive fiery red crown patch that is often hidden. The kingbird’s sharp beak and focused gaze are indicative of its predatory nature as an insectivore.
The title 'Le Tyran Gris', 'Tyrannus griseus. pl. 46', provides the French name for the species, along with a historical Latin name and the plate number within the series. Inscribed names 'Pretre pinx', 'Langlois sculp.', and 'Bouquet' identify the original painter, engraver, and the individual who hand-finished the print, linking it to the influential book 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux de l'Amerique Septentrionale' by Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot, published circa 1807.
The print shows signs of aging, including foxing spots scattered across the paper and slight yellowing, which are expected in a document of this era. These imperfections do not detract from the artistic and scientific value of the piece, which has retained vibrant coloring and clear detail. As a part of Vieillot's work, this print exemplifies a transformative period in ornithology where birds began to be appreciated and studied within their natural environments.
