Artwork

Lanius rufus

Lanius rufus, by American 19th Century, ink, 1850
Lanius rufus, by American 19th Century, ink, 1850

Lanius rufus is an ink print by the Romanticist artist American 19th Century. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription
Inscribed:across top in plate: LANIUS RUFUS.; lower left in brown ink below plate mark: 23[9?]. Lanius Rufus.

About this work

Overview

Lanius rufus is a hand-colored etching on laid paper, featuring a pair of birds perched on intricately detailed branches amidst green foliage.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts two birds with distinctive red heads, white chests, and brown wings, facing opposite directions. Their realistic portrayal emphasizes natural observation.

Technique & Style

The etching showcases meticulous attention to detail in the birds' feathers, beaks, and the textured, shaded branches, characteristic of a detailed, realistic artistic approach.

Context

Although the birds' species (Lanius rufus, or Red-backed Shrike) suggests a focus on natural history, the overall aesthetic aligns more closely with the emphasis on nature found in Romanticism.

Artist & collection

Portrait of American 19th Century

Artist

American 19th Century

Scenes of everyday American life in the 1800s. Farmhouse in Mahantango Valley is a quiet, sunlit view of rural Pennsylvania; Boy and Girl shows two children standing close, faces turned outward. A small woodcut, The…

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

Frequently asked questions

Who painted Lanius rufus?

Lanius rufus was painted by American 19th Century in 1850.

Where can I see Lanius rufus?

Lanius rufus is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Lanius rufus?

Lanius rufus is associated with Romanticism.