Lophornis Chalybeus (Festive Coquette)

Lophornis chalybeus (Festive Coquette). From A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-Birds, 6 vols., large folio. Published in London, 1849–1887. Printed by Hullmandel and Walter from drawings by J. Gould, H. C. Richter, and William Hart, lithographed by the artists.

Gould’s hummingbirds are highly prized for their lavish botanical backgrounds and the iridescent paints often used. British ornithological artist John Gould created the largest and most spectacular body of bird prints in the 19th century. His volumes, containing hundreds of hand-colored lithographs, covered species from the Himalayas to New Guinea. All were issued in large-folio format, enabling Gould to show each bird’s appearance in detail, usually in its natural habitat. From 1832 to 1881 Gould travelled the world seeking new specimens, often writing the scientific texts himself. He oversaw every phase of his operation, from securing and drawing specimens to soliciting subscriptions. Other artists who assisted him had substantial reputations of their own, including his wife Elizabeth Gould, Edward Lear, Henry C. Richter, Josef Wolf, and William Hart.