Elizabeth Gould Epthianura albifrons. White-fronted Flycatcher print

by John and Elizabeth Gould

Australian Flycatcher, Ephthianura albifrons Lansdown Press reproduction print (limited to 500 copies). 

This image was reproduced from a hand-coloured lithograph by Elizabeth Gould, after finessing the sketch by her husband, John Gould for his Birds of Australia, - originally published in London between 1840 and 1848.

Known as 'the Bird Man', John Gould (1804-1881), was a naturalist who loved birds. He combined his good eye for detail and employed excellent bird lithographers whose work he monitored closely.  John Gould obtained wealthy subscribers prior to each venture, publishing superb hand-coloured lithographs of the birds of different regions of the world. Many of the illustrations for The Birds of Australia are the finest ever done. While most people have heard of John Gould, many do not know that his wife Elizabeth finessed most of her husband's sketches for the lithographs, as well as lithographing over 600 illustrations herself. She died in 1841 after the birth of their eighth child following their return from Australia.

This image is of original published size, 21 x 14.5 inches (approx. 53 x 37cm) and in good condition. The paper is not as thick as the original lithographs were, and the ink colour does not have the same longevity as early colour, so we would recommend the use of U/V protective glass to minimize fading.