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1807 Red-Breasted Swallow Illustration - Original Handcolored Antique Bird Print
$435 (£330, €390)
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_39081912
This handcolored antique print, entitled 'L'Hirondelle Rousse', depicts a red-breasted swallow, also known as the rufous-chested swallow. The bird is illustrated in mid-pose, captured with its wings folded, perched on a stump. Its rich chestnut underparts contrast strikingly with the deep blue-black of its upper plumage, embodying the vibrant colors typical of the species found in Sub-Saharan Africa. The swallow’s slender body and forked tail are characteristic of its grace in flight.
Beneath the image, the title 'L'Hirondelle Rousse', 'Hirundo rufa', 'pl. 50', identifies the bird in French and Latin, along with the plate number, which places the illustration within a larger collection. The annotations 'Pretre pinx', 'Langlois sculp.', and 'Bouquet' credit the painter, engraver, and the person who finished the print, respectively, linking it to the celebrated work 'Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux de l'Amerique Septentrionale' by Louis Jean Pierre Vieillot, published around 1807.
The condition of the print shows its antiquity; foxing is present throughout, and the paper has yellowed with age, which is common for documents from this period. However, these conditions do not detract from the visual impact of the artwork. The coloration of the swallow remains vivid, and the delicate details of its feathers are exquisitely preserved, reflecting the care taken in the hand finishing process. This print exemplifies the shift towards studying birds in their natural environment, a pioneering movement in ornithology championed by Vieillot.
