Who painted Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird)?

Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird) was painted by W. Hart in 1842.

Where can I see Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird)?

Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird) is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird)?

Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird) is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird)

W. Hart , 1842

Callipharus nigriventris (Black-bellied Hummingbird) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist W. Hart. It dates from 1842 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The work is a hand‑colored lithographic print depicting three small hummingbirds against a light, unadorned backdrop.

About this work

Overview

The work is a hand‑colored lithographic print depicting three small hummingbirds against a light, unadorned backdrop. Two birds rest on a slender twig adorned with modest blossoms, while a third hovers nearby, its wings captured mid‑flight. The composition emphasizes the delicate forms and vivid plumage of the birds.

Subject & Meaning

The birds illustrated are identified as *Callipharus nigriventris*, commonly known as the Black‑billed Hummingbird. Their bright green feathers, accented with black and red, are rendered with precision to convey the species’ distinctive coloration and rapid, hovering motion, highlighting both natural beauty and scientific observation.

Technique & Style

Created in 1842 by W. Hart, the image employs the lithographic process, in which a stone surface is drawn upon and then printed. After the initial monochrome impression, selective areas were hand‑colored to bring out the birds’ iridescent hues, a common practice in 19th‑century natural illustration to combine accuracy with visual appeal.

History & Provenance

The print originates from the early Victorian period, a time when detailed ornithological plates were in demand for both scientific study and popular interest. Produced by the lithographer W. Hart, the work likely circulated among collectors of natural history prints and may have been included in contemporary bird‑identification manuals.

Context

During the mid‑19th century, advances in printing technology allowed artists to reproduce fine details of flora and fauna for a growing audience of amateur naturalists. This piece reflects that trend, marrying scientific documentation with an aesthetic that makes the hummingbirds’ fleeting behavior accessible to a broader public.