Artwork
Pedrix rubra, The Red-Legged Partridge
Pedrix rubra, The Red-Legged Partridge is an ink print by the Baroque artist Albert Flamen. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1644, this etching depicts a red‑legged partridge perched upon a rock.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1644, this etching depicts a red‑legged partridge perched upon a rock. Rendered in fine lines on laid paper, the bird faces right against an unadorned backdrop, its plumage rendered with precise, sharp detailing that emphasizes the natural form of the creature.
Subject & Meaning
The work presents a solitary partridge, a common game bird of Europe, captured in a moment of stillness. By isolating the bird on a simple rock, the image invites close observation of its anatomy and coloration, reflecting the period’s interest in documenting wildlife for both aesthetic and educational purposes.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the artist incised the image into a metal plate, then transferred it onto laid paper, whose ribbed texture can be felt under the fingertips. The line work is meticulous, employing cross‑hatching to convey feather texture and subtle tonal variations, characteristic of mid‑17th‑century naturalistic printmaking.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the workshop of Albert Flamen, a Flemish engraver who worked in Paris during the mid‑1600s. It formed part of a series of illustrations intended for scientific and artistic publications of the time, serving as a visual reference for scholars and collectors alike.
Context
Flamen’s output aligns with a broader European movement that combined art and emerging natural history. Prints such as this were circulated among learned societies and patrons interested in accurate depictions of flora and fauna, bridging decorative art and empirical observation in the early modern era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Albert Flamen (c. 1620 – after 1669) was a Flemish engraver, painter, and tapestry designer. He was active in Paris, where he worked mainly as an illustrator on numerous publications.
