Eugenia imperatrix (Empress Hummingbird)
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows two bright green hummingbirds with long, curved beaks and shimmering feathers. One bird is perched on a red flower, while the other hovers nearby, wings blurred as if caught in motion. The background is filled with lush green leaves and delicate orange-red plants, giving the scene a vibrant, almost tropical feel. The artist used careful detail to highlight the birds’ iridescent feathers, which shift in color depending on the light. This kind of precision was common in scientific illustrations of the time. Next, look up lithography to see how this image was made.
