Endpaper with Birds

About this work

This piece is a red paper square covered in gold birds. The birds are all different sizes and types—some perched on branches, others flying or pecking at the ground. The background is plain red, but the gold ink makes the birds stand out sharply, like they’re glowing. The artist used a simple technique to create this effect. The text at the bottom names the maker, but the real trick is how the gold ink was applied to make the birds look so alive against the red. Want to see how this technique works? Look up woodcut.