Osprey. Lizars fine little engraving for Jardine. c1838.

by Lizars, William Home

Pandion haliaetus, Sea Hawk, River Hawk, Fish Hawk...

Fine original hand-coloured steel engraving by eminent Edinburgh engraver W.H. Lizars (1788-1859) for Jardine's Naturalist’s Library series on Birds of Prey published circa 1838 by Sir William Jardine.

Eminent painter and engraver, William Home Lizars (1788-1859) was born and educated through high school in Edinburgh. He assumed his father's business commitments following Daniel Lizars' death. Between 1833 and 1843 W.H. Lizars engraved around 40 steel plates from the drawings by leading naturalists for each of the 40 works for Sir William Jardine's Naturalist's Library, and printed them. He also supervised each engraving's hand-colour, and compiled and published them. By strong watercolour on each wildlife subject, Lizars managed to highlight each bird against the uncoloured habitat that surrounded it. They have been acknowledged as some of the finest small wildlife portraits ever produced.

The engraved page measures 6 3/8 x 4 inches (approximately 16 x 10cm).