Beautiful Golden Whistlers, Pachycephala Torquata, Keulemans lithograph c1875.

by Keulemans, John Gerrard

Keulemans antique print of Golden Whistlers, Pachycephala torquata. Male and female Golden Whistlers from Fiji - exquisitely delineated and superbly coloured. Signed JGK.

Original hand-coloured lithograph by eminent bird illustrator and naturalist John Gerrard Keulemans (1842-1912) for Ornithological Miscellany published in London between 1875 and 1878 by George Dawson Rowley (1822-1878).

In 1866 Keulemans was invited to England by Richard Bowdler Sharpe to lithograph 121 birds specimens for Sharpe's Monograph of the Alcedinidae, or Family of Kingfishers, published from 1868 to 1871. Although he only produced bird illustrations, J.G. Keulemans was able to support his large family in London. One of the most skilful lithographers, Keulemans combined scientific accuracy with sensitivity for the personality of each bird - during the heyday of publishing grand hand-illustrated books. Keulemans was illustrating The Birds of Australia, by G.M. Mathews when he succumbed to blindness. A dreadful end for someone who had such a fine eye for detail in his interpretation of wildlife.

This lithograph of very pretty male and female whistlers is in fine condition. The picture is not nearly as nice as the lithograph. Size is as published: 313 x 245mm (12 5/8 x 9 5/8 inches).