Hylocharis lactea (Sapphire-breasted Emerald)

Art Historical Context

This hand-colored lithograph captures the delicate beauty of the Sapphire-breasted Emerald hummingbird, known scientifically as *Hylocharis lact*. Created by the renowned British ornithologist and illustrator John Gould in collaboration with H.C. Richter, the work dates from 1801 to 1825. Measuring 56 by 38.6 centimeters, the print presents the bird with meticulous attention to its iridescent plumage and graceful posture, reflecting the era’s growing fascination with exotic wildlife from the Americas. As a hand-colored lithograph, the piece exemplifies an important artistic and scientific medium of the nineteenth century. Lithography allowed for fine detail and multiple impressions, which Gould’s studio then enhanced with watercolor to convey the bird’s shimmering colors. Such prints played a vital role in natural history publications, making detailed avian studies accessible beyond elite collections. Now part of the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through the generous gift of Dr. and Mrs. George Benjamin Green, this work bridges art and science. It invites viewers to appreciate both the technical skill of early lithographers and the enduring wonder of the natural world.

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...