Autumn Repose: Old Bird Print of The Eurasian Wigeon by Magnus von Wright, 1929

This image is a delicately crafted illustration of a female Eurasian Wigeon, known scientifically as Anas (Mareca) Penelope. The bird is positioned resting on a rock, with its head gracefully extended towards the water, as if captured mid-drink. Its plumage is intricately detailed, showing a range of patterns and textures that are characteristic of the species. This particular species of duck is known for its distinctive whistling call and migratory habits.

The print comes from the work 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Magnus von Wright, a noted Swedish-Finnish artist and ornithologist. His work was pioneering in the field of Nordic ornithological illustration. Wright's illustrations are appreciated for their accuracy and the artist's ability to convey the subtle details of the birds’ anatomy and feathers, as well as a sense of their natural environment.

This piece is characteristic of 19th-century natural history illustrations, which combined scientific precision with an artistic eye for detail and composition. The quality of the lithography, with its fine lines and attention to shades and tones, showcases Wright's skills both as a naturalist and an artist. The inscription "Bläsand, om hösten," which translates to "Eurasian Wigeon, in the autumn," implies that this representation is of the bird in its autumnal setting, likely a detail of importance for identification or ornithological observation during that specific season.