The Family of Hummingbirds - by Joel Oppenheimer & Laura Oppenheimer (Hardcover)

About the Book

"The sublime collection of 418 superbly detailed paintings of hummingbirds by the great artist John Gould, the 19th-century naturalist painter often referred to as the British Audubon, represents all the known species on the planet at the time and is the most complete ever produced. Like Audubon, Gould depicted the birds as they are in life, in their native habitats, which was still a revolutionary approach at the time. Yet Unlike Audubon, Gould travelled widely across the globe and the exquisite hummingbirds he painted so beautifully represent all the known species at the time and haled from the most remote and exotic ecosystems on the planet. In their essay for the book, co-writers Joel and Laura Oppenheimer tell the story of Gould's colourful life and place his work in the context of the times, when exploration of science and the world s natural wonders was at an all-time high. The Family of Hummingbirds will delight birdwatching hobbyists, fans of naturalist historical prints, and especially lovers of the avian Tinker Bell."--Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

For all the bird lovers, the definitive collection of hummingbird illustrations by 19th-century naturalist painter John Gould, the "British Audubon".

This sublime collection of 418 superbly detailed hand-colored lithographs of hummingbirds, created by John Gould, the "British Audubon," in the mid-1800s, represents all the known species at that time and is the most complete ever produced of hummingbirds. Unlike John James Audubon, whose work focused on the avifauna of a single country, Gould's folios illustrate species from around the world. His original set of folios--Family of Humming-Birds--reproduced here in its entirety, depicts the magnificent jewel-like birds together with botanicals native to their habitats in the most remote and exotic ecosystems of the Americas.

In her essay for the book, co-author Laura Oppenheimer tells the story of Gould's colorful life and places his work in the context of a remarkable period when exploration and classification of the world's natural wonders was at the forefront of scientific discovery and universally celebrated in Victorian popular culture. Joel Oppenheimer details how Gould created the prints and presents an overview of nineteenth-century printmaking and lithography techniques. He also unravels the mystery behind the gold-leaf process that Gould employed to portray the iridescent quality of the hummingbirds' plumage, resolving a long-standing controversy regarding who should be credited for its invention. This Family of Hummingbirds will delight birdwatchers, fans of natural history art, and hummingbird lovers everywhere.

Review Quotes

"A sublime collection of 418 suberbly detailed hand-colored lithographs created by John Gould from the mid-1800s...If you're a fan of natural history art, hummingbirds, or birds in general - this unrivaled master collection of antique prints is definitely a piece you'd want to add to your collection. " --Color Outside the Lines

"John Gould, a 19th-century Englis hornithologist and bird artist, had a particular interest in hummingbirds. Who can blame him? This stunning volume features his superbly detailed hand-colored lithographs of hundreds of species. Plus, authors Joel Oppenheimer and Laura Oppenheimer tell hte sory of Gould's colorful life and place his work in the context of a period when the exploration of science and the world's natural wonders was at an all-time high." --BirdWatching

About the Author

Joel and Laura Oppenheimer are the owners of this eponymous firm that serves as both a gallery and an art restoration workshop, with one location in Chicago's famed Wrigley building and another in Charleston on historic King Street. Founded in 1969, Oppenheimer Gallery specializes in natural history art. Oppenheimer Gallery is one of the preeminent dealers of Audubon watercolors and facsimile prints and works in partnerships with museums across the country including the New-York Historical Society.
Robert Peck, curator of art and artifacts and senior fellow of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia, is a writer, naturalist, and historian who has traveled extensively in North and South America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Peck is the author of many books including Land of the Eagle: A Natural History of North America (1990); Headhunters and Hummingbirds: An Expedition into Ecuador (1987); and A Celebration of Birds: The Life and Art of Louis Agassiz Fuertes (1982).