Artwork
Parrot (Ara)
Parrot (Ara) is an ink print by the Baroque artist Johann Teyler. It dates from 1691 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1691, this print by Johann Teyler is a color engraving executed on laid paper. The work depicts a single parrot perched on a branch, rendered in vivid reds and blues that stand out against an unadorned background. The bird’s alert gaze and the crisp delineation of its feathers give the image a focused, naturalistic presence.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on an Ara parrot, a species known for its striking plumage. By isolating the bird against a plain backdrop, Teyler emphasizes its coloration and form, inviting the viewer to consider the creature’s exotic allure and the broader fascination with exotic fauna that characterized European art and scientific illustration in the late seventeenth century.
Technique & Style
Teyler applied ink to the engraved plate by the à la poupée method, hand‑inking each color with separate small dabbers rather than using a roller. Fine cross‑hatching lines build up tonal variation, producing a soft, almost velvety surface on the bird’s body. This meticulous hand‑inking allows subtle shifts in hue and depth that are characteristic of high‑quality color engravings of the period.
History & Provenance
The print originates from the Dutch Republic, where Teyler was active as an engraver and printer. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is documented in early catalogues of Dutch prints and has appeared in several museum collections specializing in seventeenth‑century graphic art, confirming its attribution to Teyler and its circulation among collectors of natural history imagery.
Artist & collection
