Australian Red-rumped Thornbill, Acanthiza pyrrhopygia John Gould lithograph c1848

by Gould, John

Acanthiza Pyrrhopygia, Buff-rumped Thornbills John Gould antique print c1848.

Delightful original hand-coloured lithograph of Australian Thornbills by Henry Constantine Richter for John Gould's Birds of Australia published in London between 1840 and 1848.

John Gould was a brilliant ornithologist who devoted his life to the study of birds, Gould had a fine eye for detail and knew his limitations as an artist so employed the finest lithographers of the day and closely monitored their work. He was also an astute businessman, and obtained subscribers to subsidise his magnificent ornithological publications.

Gould's artist wife Elizabeth (Coxen) Gould (1804-1841) was trained in lithography by Edward Lear. Elizabeth Gould came to Australia with her husband, remained in Tasmania while her husband travelled around Australia collecting and sketching birds in their habitats. Elizabeth Gould lithographed around 600 bird species for her husband. She died at the age of 37, following the birth of their fifth child after their return to England from Australia.

This antique print is in fine condition, measuring 535 x 370mm (21 x 14.5 inches).