BARRABAND, Jacques (1767/8-1809)

Le grand Oiseau de paradis, émeraude, mâle [Greater Bird of Paradise, male (Paradisea apoda)]

[Paris: 1801-1806]. Colour-printed engraving with hand-colouring. Imprint shaved. Sheet size: 19 5/8 x 12 7/8 inches.

Barraband's image effortlessly captures the exotic beauty of one of the most spectacular of all Birds of Paradise.

The technical brilliance of the colour-printing used in the production of this print ablely captures the precision and beauty of Barraband's watercolour and gouache originals. Jacques Barraband was the finest ornithological artist of his time. The son of a weaver at the Aubusson Factory, he is first mentioned as a pupil of Joseph Malaine (1745-1809), the eminent flower painter, and is known to have worked for both the Gobelin Factory and the porcelain factory of Sèvres. His most important work was undoubtedly the 300 or so drawings that he produced for François Levaillant's three great ornithological monographs, the most spectacular of which was the Histoire naturelle des oiseaux de paradis et des rolliers... (Paris, [1801]-06).

Cf. Anker 304; cf. Brunet III.1033; cf.Fine Bird Books (1990), p.118; cf. Nissen IVB 559; cf. Ronsil, p. 298; cf. Wood, p. 434; cf. Zimmer, p. 393.

Item #15835

Price: $3,500.00