Jardine's Trochilus Eurynome, Scaly-breasted Hummingbird. Lizars engraving c1833.

by Lizars, William Home

Lizars Hummingbird antique print, Trochilus Eurynome of Brazil.

Finely engraved original hand-coloured steel engraving by eminent Edinburgh engraver William Home Lizars (1788-1859), for Jardine's Naturalist’s Library Humming-Birds by Sir William Jardine. Published in Edinburgh by WH Lizars c1833.

Under the guidance of eminent naturalists in each field, Lizars engraved over 1,200 different species of birds, animals, insects and marine life. They are considered the finest miniature nature portraits ever done. Beautifully coloured, they effectively stand out from uncoloured engraved background habitats. Sir William Jardine, (1800-1874) was a naturalist who was particularly keen on ornithology - and also on Lizars’ sister Jane Home Lizars, whom he married.

This is a beautiful engraving, in fine condition except for slight age-discolouration which is to be expected of paper that is nearly 200 years old. Approximate size 123 x 170 mm (4.25 x 6.75 inches).