Birds - U.S.P.R.R. Exp. & Surveys, 35th Parallel
1850
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1850
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a small bird perched on a thin branch, drawn in careful detail. Its feathers are mostly gray with some faint stripes, and its beak is sharp. Two other views of the bird—one from the side and another of its head—are shown nearby. There’s also a close-up of its tail feathers fanned out. The drawing comes from a scientific survey of birds along the 35th parallel in the U.S. The artist focused on accuracy, not just beauty, to help others study these birds. If you like this style, check out lithography to see how artists made prints like this.
