Artwork
Lesbia Amaryllis
Lesbia Amaryllis is an ink print by the Romanticist artist John Gould. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
John Gould’s 1842 print *Lesbia Amaryllis* is a hand-colored lithograph on wove paper, depicting three hummingbirds interacting with tubular blossoms. Part of his broader ornithological documentation, the work reflects Gould’s systematic approach to cataloging avian species, often collaborating with illustrators to achieve scientific precision.
Subject & Meaning
The image portrays *Lesbia amaryllis*, a hummingbird species, alongside a flowering plant identified by the same name. Gould’s composition emphasizes the birds’ iridescent plumage and elongated beaks, adapted for feeding from deep blooms. The arrangement suggests a study of natural behavior, with one bird hovering mid-air, capturing the dynamism of the species.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the work employs fine lines and delicate hand-coloring to render anatomical detail. The blank background focuses attention on the subjects, while soft greens and pinks enhance the naturalism. Gould’s method prioritized accuracy, aligning with the scientific illustration conventions of the period.
History & Provenance
Created during Gould’s extensive project to document global birdlife, this print emerged from his collaboration with artists including his wife, Elizabeth Gould, and Edward Lear. It was produced as part of a larger body of work intended for scientific reference, though its aesthetic qualities also appealed to collectors of natural history prints.
Context
Gould’s work coincided with 19th-century expeditions that expanded knowledge of biodiversity. His illustrations, such as those in *The Birds of Australia*, contributed to both scientific study and public fascination with exotic species. The print reflects the era’s intersection of art, taxonomy, and exploration.
Artist & collection
Artist
John Gould (; 14 September 1804 – 3 February 1881) was an English ornithologist who published monographs on birds, illustrated by plates produced by his wife, Elizabeth Gould, and several other artists, including Edward…
Docimastes ensiferus (Sword-billed Hummingbird)
Eriocnemis cupreiventris (Coppery-vented Puff-Leg)
Selashorus scintilla (Scintillant Hummingbird)
Lafresnaya flavicaudata (Buff-tailed Velvet-breast)
Chlorostilbona prasina (Puncheran's Emerald)
Eriocnemis vestitus (Glowing Puff-Leg)
Eugenia imperatrix (Empress Hummingbird)
Caprimulgus europaeus (Nightjar)
