Eucephala smaragdocaerulea (Gould's Wood Nymph)

Created through lithography, the original stone‑etched image was subsequently hand‑coloured, a common practice in 19th‑century scientific illustration. The artist applied pigments directly onto the printed surface, enhancing the greens of the birds and the reds of the blossoms against a light background. This method allowed for precise line work while delivering the vivid hues necessary for accurate identification.

The plate forms part of Gould’s extensive ornithological output, which frequently involved collaborators such as his wife Elizabeth Gould, Edward Lear, and Henry Constantine Richter. It was included in the seven‑volume series *The Birds of Australia* released in the 1840s, a foundational reference for Australian bird studies. Original copies remain in museum collections and private archives, reflecting the work’s enduring scholarly value.