Damophila amabilis (Blue-breasted Hummingbird)

Art Historical Context

This exquisite hand-colored lithograph captures the vibrant beauty of the Blue-breasted Hummingbird, known scientifically as Damophila amabilis. Created by renowned ornithological illustrator John Gould and his collaborator H.C. Richter between 1801 and 1825, the print exemplifies the era’s growing fascination with natural history and exotic species from distant lands. Measuring roughly 22 by 15 inches, the sheet showcases the delicate iridescence of the bird’s plumage through meticulous hand-coloring applied over the lithographic base. Lithography, a relatively new printing technique at the time, allowed artists like Gould to produce highly detailed scientific illustrations that could be widely distributed while retaining artistic finesse. The careful layering of watercolor enhances the hummingbird’s shimmering feathers and dynamic pose, blending accuracy with aesthetic appeal. Such works played a vital role in educating the public about biodiversity during the early nineteenth century. Donated to the National Gallery of Art by Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, this print stands as a testament to the intersection of art and science. It invites viewers to appreciate both the technical mastery involved and the wonder of the natural world it portrays.

About the Artist

John Gould and H.C. Richter

John Gould (1804–1881) and Henry Constantine Richter (1821–1902) formed one of the most productive and celebrated partnerships in the history of natural history illustration. Gould, an English ornithologist and publisher of extraordinary ambition, built a career on the production of lavishly illustrated folio volumes documenting the birds of Britain, Europe, Australia, Asia, and the Americas. Thou...