The Purple Martin (Hirundo purpurea)
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1737
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This bird sits on a wooden fence post, its dark feathers sharp against the light background. Ivy climbs the post, its green leaves and red berries adding color. The fence is made of rough wooden beams, and the whole scene looks like a careful drawing. The bird is labeled as a Purple Martin. This kind of detail was important for early scientists studying nature. Look up etching to see how this technique works.
