Artwork
Two Birds (Ptilonopus Auranthfrons)
Two Birds (Ptilonopus Auranthfrons) is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Joseph Wolf. It dates from 1860 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1860, this hand‑colored lithograph depicts a pair of birds resting on rocky outcrops beside water.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1860, this hand‑colored lithograph depicts a pair of birds resting on rocky outcrops beside water. The composition is set against a modest backdrop of reeds and a pale sky, emphasizing the tranquil natural scene. The work is attributed to the German illustrator Joseph Wolf, known for his detailed animal studies.
Subject & Meaning
The foreground bird displays a predominantly green plumage, a yellow underside, an orange bill, and red legs, while the smaller companion behind it combines gray‑green feathers with a vivid orange facial area. The juxtaposition of the two species highlights subtle variations in coloration and form, reflecting a 19th‑century fascination with the diversity of avian life.
Technique & Style
Executed as a lithograph, the image was first drawn with greasy ink on a flat stone, then chemically treated to retain the drawing while repelling water. After printing, the artist applied watercolor by hand to enhance the hues. The delicate palette and precise rendering align with Romantic-era naturalist illustration, which prized both scientific accuracy and aesthetic appeal.
History & Provenance
Joseph Wolf produced the print during a period when illustrated natural histories were in high demand across Europe. While specific ownership records are limited, the work has appeared in several 19th‑century catalogues of wildlife prints and is now held in museum collections that focus on scientific illustration and Romantic art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Joseph Wolf never met an animal he didn’t want to draw. Even on his honeymoon, he lugged a sketchbook up Swiss peaks to catch the snow ptarmigan molting from winter white to summer brown. That’s how he ended up…
Polyborus Tharus, Var.
Trogan variegatus
Sturnur Vulgaris
Drepanornis albertisi (Black-billed Sicklebill Bird of Paradise)
Birds of Philippines
White-crowned Pigeon
Helianthea eos (Golden Star-frontlet)
Epimachus speciosus (Sickle-billed Bird of Paradise)
Petrocossyphus cyanus (Blue Rockthrush)
Carolina Parrot