Close-ups
Framed and on the wall
Frame and rooms are illustrations of how the print could look; the description says what is included.
White-Backed Woodpecker Pair on Woodland Trunk, Swedish Bird Print, 1929
€230 ($255, £195, €230)
Period original, not a reproduction.
Shipped from the Netherlands, flat, insured and tracked, worldwide. Returns accepted within 14 days.
- Date
- 1929
- Size
- 15.4 × 11.4 in (39 × 28.9 cm)
- Condition
- Good. Good condition for its age. Light age toning to the paper as expected. Colors remain fresh and vibrant. Please study the images carefully for the most accurate assessment of condition.
- Period
- 20th century
- Artist or book
- The von Wright brothers
- Section
- Birds
- Reference
- f_50650052
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.
White-backed Woodpecker Pair, von Wright Brothers Swedish Bird Print, 1929
This striking original ornithological print depicts the White-backed Woodpecker (Dryobates leucotus), one of Europe's most distinctive woodland birds. The composition shows both the male and female birds clinging to a weathered, lichen-covered tree trunk, allowing for a direct comparison of their plumage. The male is identifiable by the vivid crimson crown, while the female displays the more subdued black cap characteristic of the species. The delicate rendering of feathers, bark textures, and natural coloration demonstrates the exceptional observational skill for which the von Wright brothers became renowned.
The artwork originates from the celebrated Swedish ornithological publication Svenska Fåglar Efter Naturen Och På Sten Ritade ("Swedish Birds Drawn from Nature and Lithographed"), one of the most important bird books produced in Scandinavia. The brothers Magnus von Wright, Wilhelm von Wright, and Ferdinand von Wright are celebrated for combining scientific accuracy with artistic refinement, creating images that remain highly sought after by collectors of natural history art.
Published in the 1929 folio edition of Svenska Fåglar, this plate exemplifies the enduring appeal of early twentieth-century ornithological illustration. The clean background draws the viewer's attention entirely to the birds and their habitat, while the balanced composition creates a decorative work of art suitable for both traditional and contemporary interiors. The White-backed Woodpecker itself is a species associated with mature forests and old-growth woodland habitats, making this image particularly appealing to bird enthusiasts, conservationists, and collectors of Scandinavian natural history material.
Original bird prints from Svenska Fåglar are increasingly sought after for their combination of scientific importance, decorative quality, and association with the renowned von Wright family. This example offers a fine opportunity to acquire an authentic vintage ornithological print from one of Northern Europe's most respected natural history publications.
Condition: Good condition for its age. Light age toning to the paper as expected. Colors remain fresh and vibrant. Please study the images carefully for the most accurate assessment of condition.
Framing tips: This print displays beautifully in a thin walnut, black, or natural oak frame with an off-white museum-quality mat. The generous margins and elegant composition make it particularly suitable for gallery-style presentation, either individually or as part of a collection of natural history prints.
Technique: Lithograph
Maker: von Wright Brothers, Sweden, published 1929
This is an original vintage print, not a reproduction. The print is sold unframed. Any framed images shown are for display and interior inspiration only.
