Artwork

Trichoparadisea Gulielmi

Trichoparadisea Gulielmi, by W. Hart, ink
Trichoparadisea Gulielmi, by W. Hart, ink

Trichoparadisea Gulielmi is an ink print by the Impressionist artist W. Hart. It is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The work presents three vividly tinted avian figures arranged on a verdant branch, rendered with a light, airy background that isolates the subjects.

Trichoparadisea Gulielmi is a hand‑colored lithographic print on wove paper executed by the artist W. Hart in 1882. The work presents three vividly tinted avian figures arranged on a verdant branch, rendered with a light, airy background that isolates the subjects. The composition balances a larger, tail‑featured bird with two smaller companions, creating a harmonious grouping within a compact format.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts three birds, each distinguished by distinct plumage. The dominant figure displays a long, iridescent tail and a blend of brown, yellow, and green feathers, while the accompanying birds are rendered in more restrained tones—one chiefly brown, the other marked with yellow and black. The arrangement suggests a study of natural variety and the interplay of color among closely related species.

Technique & Style

Created through lithography, the image was first drawn onto a limestone plate, then transferred to paper and subsequently hand‑colored. Hart employed a soft palette and meticulous line work to suggest the texture of feathers, achieving a near‑realistic surface quality. The light background and delicate shading emphasize the birds’ forms without competing visual elements.

History & Provenance

The lithograph was produced in the late nineteenth century, a period when hand‑colored prints were popular for disseminating natural‑history illustrations. While specific ownership records are limited, the work bears the hallmark of the era’s scientific publishing practices, reflecting both artistic skill and the period’s interest in documenting exotic fauna.

Artist & collection

Portrait of W. Hart

Artist

W. Hart

W. Hart (1804–1881) was an artist.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.