Elizabeth Gould (British, 1804-1841) and John Gould (British, 1804-1881),"Phasianus Pucrasia" - a hand-colored lithograph from "Birds from the Himalaya Mountains" (London: 1831-32). Printed by C. Hullmandel. Drawn from nature after John Gould and on stone by Elizabeth Gould. A magnificent composition depicting a male pheasant (Phasianus Pucrasia) in profile - with his brilliant plumage of chestnut brown, silvery grey, azure blue, black, and white hues - his head of teal feathers with a frill of teal and beige - perched upon a leafy tree branch. "Birds from the Himalaya Mountains" was Gould's first major work created after his acquisition of a collection of bird-skins from the Himalaya Mountains. It was so successful, that Gould would be inspired to continue creating large format monographs throughout his lifetime. Size: 21.875" L x 14.375" W (55.6 cm x 36.5 cm); 23" L x 18" W (58.4 cm x 45.7 cm) including mat
John Gould was an ornithologist, a self-taught artist, as well as a naturalist. From 1818 to 1824, Gould was a gardener working under his father in the Royal Gardens of Windsor, where he began creating illustrations. In time, he became an accomplished taxidermist, opening his own practice in London in 1824. In 1827, Gould became the first Curator and Preserver at the museum of the Zoological Society of London. His interest in birds kept developing, and in 1830 he published "A Century of Birds From the Himalaya Mountains" - his first volume on birds. For the next fifty years, Gould, his wife Elizabeth, and several other artists working with them sojourned throughout Asia, the East Indies, and Australia.
Text below bird reads, "PHASIANUS PUCRASIA 2/3 Nat. Size" / "Drawn from Nature & on Stone by E. Gould" / "Printed by C. Hullmandel"
Provenance: private Lucille Lucas collection, Crested Butte, Colorado, USA
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#136787
Condition
Normal toning to paper. Creases and tiny tears at edges of sheet. A few minute stains - most toward edges of sheet. Comes with gold colored mat, but is not attached to it.