Australian White-faced Xerophila leucopsis John Gould lithograph c1848

by Gould, John

Pretty Southern Whiteface, John Gould Xerophila Leucopsis lithograph c1848.

Original John Gould antique print of Australian Xerophila leucopsis, now Apelocephala leucopsis. Original hand-coloured lithograph by John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter for Gould's Birds of Australia (the finest series ever done on Australian Birds), published in London between 1840 and 1848 by 'The Bird Man', John Gould (1804-1881).

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. Also a very successful businessman, Gould employed the finest lithographers of the day and closely monitored their work, while obtaining subscribers to fund his grand publications.

Gould's artist wife Elizabeth Coxen (1804-1841) was trained in lithography by Edward Lear. Elizabeth Gould came to Australia with her husband, but remained in Tasmania while her husband travelled around Australia collecting birds and sketching them with their habitat. 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 gorgeous original John Gould antique print is in fine condition, and measures 535 x 370mm (21 x 14.5 inches), as published.