Close-ups
Anthus Pratensis - Hand-colored Meadow Pipit Lithograph, 1927
$225 (£170, €200)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1927
- Size
- 14.8 × 10.9 in (37.5 × 27.7 cm)
- Condition
- Very good, given age. Some light soiling. General age-related toning and/or occasional minor defects from handling. Please study scan carefully.
- Period
- 20th century
- Artist or book
- The von Wright brothers
- Section
- Birds
- Reference
- f_40588042
- Colour
- Hand coloured
What the condition grades mean
- Excellent
- Bright and clean, with no faults worth mentioning.
- Very good
- Only light signs of age, such as faint toning.
- Good
- Normal signs of age for a sheet of this period: toning, some foxing, small marks or neat old repairs.
- Fair
- Clear faults such as staining, tears or repairs, priced to match.
Every fault we see is written in the condition note, and the whole sheet is shown uncropped in the photos.
Title: Anthus pratensis, Hand-Colored Meadow Pipit Lithograph, Magnus von Wright
This original hand-colored lithograph depicts the Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis), a small passerine bird shown with clarity and scientific precision. The bird is presented standing on lightly vegetated ground, a naturalistic setting that reflects its typical open habitats such as grasslands, heathlands, and coastal areas. Its slender body, finely streaked brown upperparts, pale underparts, and delicate bill are carefully observed and accurately rendered.
The print was created by Magnus von Wright, a respected Nordic ornithological artist known for combining scientific accuracy with a restrained and elegant artistic style. The Meadow Pipit is shown in a calm, alert posture, with subtle hand-coloring used to enhance feather texture and tonal variation without distracting from the overall composition. The clean background and balanced use of color allow the anatomical details to remain the primary focus.
This lithograph was printed by A. Bortzells Tryckeri and published as part of Svenska fåglar (Swedish Birds), a classic work of Scandinavian natural history illustration. The Meadow Pipit is widely distributed across Europe and parts of Asia, breeding in upland and open landscapes and moving to lower elevations and coastal regions during winter. The understated setting in the print quietly reflects this ecological adaptability.
Well suited for framing, this print works beautifully as a single decorative piece or as part of a curated group of bird or natural history subjects. It appeals equally to collectors of ornithological prints, admirers of Nordic art, and interior designers seeking refined natural imagery.
Technique: Hand-colored lithograph
Maker: Magnus von Wright, Finland, 1927
