Artwork
Enicurus Maculatus (Spotted Forktail)
Enicurus Maculatus (Spotted Forktail) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Elizabeth Gould. It dates from 1822 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Enicurus Maculatus (Spotted Forktail) is a hand-colored lithograph print depicting a bird species.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a Spotted Forktail standing on a grassy patch, characterized by its black-and-white wings, long tail with white spots, and bright yellow legs. The plain background highlights the bird's colors.
Technique & Style
The artist, Elizabeth Gould, used careful lines and soft shading to render the bird, which was copied from life. The use of hand-coloring adds detail and vibrancy to the lithograph.
History & Provenance
Created in 1822, this print is an example of early 19th-century ornithological illustration.
Artist & collection
