Artwork

Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus)

Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), by British 18th Century, graphite
Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus), by British 18th Century, graphite

Golden Pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist British 18th Century. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The Golden Pheasant is a watercolor drawing on laid paper, created using graphite underdrawing.

About this work

Overview

The Golden Pheasant is a watercolor drawing on laid paper, created using graphite underdrawing. It depicts a bird with intricate feather detail.

Subject & Meaning

The drawing shows a pheasant standing on one leg, with its long tail feathers spread behind it. The bird's plumage is rendered in a range of colors, including yellow, red, pink, green, and blue.

Technique & Style

The artist employed smooth watercolor washes to capture the texture and detail of the bird's feathers, a style characteristic of early 19th-century natural history illustration.

Artist & collection

Portrait of British 18th Century

Artist

British 18th Century

This artist left small, precise pictures from 18th-century Britain—buildings, faces, and landscapes etched or drawn in ink and chalk.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.