Selasphorus Rufus (Rufous Hummingbird)
Hand-colored lithograph on heavy woven paper • John Gould (1804–1881), lithography by Henry Constantine Richter and William Matthew Hart.
Style & Movement
Natural History Illustration / Victorian Scientific Realism
Medium & Technique
Lithography with hand-applied watercolor, gouache, and gum arabic highlights to simulate the iridescence of feathers.
Creation Period
Mid-19th Century (originally published 1849-1861)
Dimensions & Format
Estimated sheet size approx. 21 x 14 inches (Double Elephant Folio size); vertical portrait orientation.
Subject Description
A botanical and ornithological study featuring several Rufous Hummingbirds in various flight and perching poses amongst flowering foliage. The composition emphasizes the birds' vibrant plumage and the delicate relationship between the species and its habitat.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Fair. There is visible toning (yellowing) of the paper, likely due to acidic matting or light exposure.
Estimated Market Value
$1,200 - $2,500 USD
Auction Estimate
$800 - $1,500 USD
Provenance History
Likely sourced from a broken volume of Gould's 'A Monograph of the Trochilidae, or Family of Humming-birds'. Present in a modern frame indicating late 20th-century gallery acquisition.
Art Historical Significance
Gould was known as 'the Bird Man' and was the foremost ornithologist in England. His hummingbird monograph is considered one of the finest natural history works of the 19th century, notable for the technical innovation of using gold leaf under transparent washes to capture hummingbird sheen.
Notable Features
Features Latin nomenclature 'SELASPHORUS RUFUS' at the base. The presence of hand-applied gum arabic provides a characteristic glossy sheen on the gorgets of the birds.
Condition Issues
Notable paper oxidation/discoloration (darkening) consistent with age and environmental exposure. Possible moisture staining at the lower margin.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional cleaning and deacidification by a paper conservator recommended. Re-frame using UV-protective museum glass and acid-free archival matting to prevent further deterioration.