Birds of the World: The Art of Elizabeth Gould

This beautiful book showcases the incredible artwork of Elizabeth Gould, an artist and illustrator who was overlooked for her contributions to her husband's ornithology publications. Featuring hundreds of her scientifically accurate illustrations of birds from nearly every continent, the book provides a new and timely tribute to Gould's talent and legacy as one of the greatest bird painters of all time.

Format: Hardback
Length: 248 pages
Publication date: 05 September 2022
Publisher: Prestel

Artist and illustrator Elizabeth Gould is finally given the recognition she deserves in this gorgeous volume that includes hundreds of her stunning and scientifically precise illustrations of birds from nearly every continent.

For all of her short life, Elizabeth Gould's artistic career was appreciated through the lens of her husband, ornithologist John Gould, with whom she embarked on a series of ambitious projects to document and illustrate the birds of the world. Elizabeth played a crucial role in her husband's lavish publications, creating beautifully detailed and historically significant accurate illustrations of over six hundred birds - many of which were new to science. However, Elizabeth's role was not always fully credited, and following her tragic death aged only thirty-seven, her efforts and talent were nearly forgotten.

This marvelous volume offers a new and timely tribute to Elizabeth's reputation and skill. It opens with an introduction to her life and achievements that reflects the latest scholarship. Following is a geographically organized collection of full-color plates depicting birds from nineteenth-century Europe, South and Central America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, including previously unpublished original artworks. Filled with the highest quality reproductions, this volume allows readers to appreciate first-hand Gould's talent for capturing the unique character of each species and the beauty of avian diversity. At the same time, it offers a valuable reconsideration of a woman who left a lasting legacy as one of the greatest bird painters of all time.

Elizabeth Gould was a remarkable artist and illustrator who dedicated her life to capturing the beauty and diversity of birds. Born in London in 1804, she was the daughter of a successful merchant and grew up in a privileged and artistic family. Gould's interest in birds began at a young age, and she was particularly fascinated by their intricate plumage and behavior.

In 1826, Gould married ornithologist John Gould, and the two embarked on a series of ambitious projects to document and illustrate the birds of the world. Together, they traveled extensively, visiting remote regions and collecting specimens that would be used in their publications. Gould's contributions to ornithology were significant, and she played a crucial role in her husband's lavish publications.

She created beautifully detailed and historically significant accurate illustrations of over six hundred birds - many of which were new to science. Gould's illustrations were renowned for their scientific accuracy and artistic beauty, and they helped to popularize the study of birds among the general public.

However, Gould's role was not always fully credited, and following her tragic death aged only thirty-seven, her efforts and talent were nearly forgotten. It was not until the late twentieth century that her work began to receive the recognition it deserved. Today, Elizabeth Gould is considered one of the greatest bird painters of all time, and her illustrations are treasured by collectors and museums around the world.

This gorgeous volume, published by the Royal Society of London, offers a new and timely tribute to Elizabeth Gould's reputation and skill. It includes hundreds of her stunning and scientifically precise illustrations of birds from nearly every continent. The book is organized geographically, with plates depicting birds from nineteenth-century Europe, South and Central America, Africa, Asia, and Australia, including previously unpublished original artworks.

The plates are filled with the highest quality reproductions, allowing readers to appreciate first-hand Gould's talent for capturing the unique character of each species and the beauty of avian diversity. Gould's illustrations are renowned for their scientific accuracy and artistic beauty, and they help to convey the wonder and awe that birds inspire in us.

At the same time, this volume offers a valuable reconsideration of a woman who left a lasting legacy as one of the greatest bird painters of all time. Gould's contributions to ornithology were significant, and her illustrations helped to popularize the study of birds among the general public. However, she was often overshadowed by her husband, and her role was not always fully credited.

This book seeks to rectify that, and it offers a fresh and insightful perspective on Elizabeth Gould's life and work. It includes an introduction to her life and achievements that reflects the latest scholarship, and it provides a valuable insight into the challenges and rewards of being a woman artist in the nineteenth century.

In conclusion, Elizabeth Gould was a remarkable artist and illustrator who dedicated her life to capturing the beauty and diversity of birds. This gorgeous volume offers a new and timely tribute to her reputation and skill, and it provides a valuable insight into the challenges and rewards of being a woman artist in the nineteenth century. Gould's illustrations are renowned for their scientific accuracy and artistic beauty, and they help to convey the wonder and awe that birds inspire in us.

Weight: 567g
Dimension: 343 x 241 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783791379876