Pinnated Grous, Blue-green Warbler, Nashville W. (from American Ornithology)
Hand-colored engraving on paper, matted and framed. • Alexander Wilson (Artist); Engraved by Alexander Lawson.
Style & Movement
Naturalist Illustration / Neoclassical Scientific Art.
Medium & Technique
Copperplate engraving with original hand-coloring in watercolor and gum arabic brushwork for texture.
Creation Period
Circa 1808–1814 (First Edition Publication).
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 14 x 11 inches (sight); Portrait format.
Subject Description
A composite scientific plate featuring the Pinnated Grouse (Greater Prairie-Chicken) in the foreground with its yellow neck sacs inflated, and smaller warbler specimens above. It represents the early 19th-century effort to categorize North American fauna.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Shows visible age-appropriate toning and minor foxing/fox marks in the margins.
Estimated Market Value
$400 - $700 USD.
Auction Estimate
$300 - $500 USD.
Provenance History
Likely extracted from a broken volume of Wilson's 'American Ornithology'. Present owner lot labeled 'DR'.
Art Historical Significance
Alexander Wilson is considered the 'Father of American Ornithology'. This work predates Audubon's 'Birds of America' and set the standard for American naturalist recording.
Notable Features
Includes clear plate inscriptions 'Drawn from Nature by A. Wilson' and 'Engraved by A. Lawson'. Features the distinctive vibrant yellow coloration of the grouse's air sacs.
Condition Issues
Visible paper yellowing (toning), minor brown spotting/foxing, and potential acidic mat burn where the paper meets the dark green matting.
Conservation Recommendations
Re-mount using acid-free, museum-quality archival mats. Check for acidic wood backing and place under UV-protective glazing to prevent further fading of hand-applied colors.