Lafresnaya flavicaudata (Buff-tailed Velvet-breast)
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows two bright green hummingbirds hovering near delicate pink-and-white flowers. The birds have iridescent feathers and long, slightly curved beaks. The flowers have yellow centers and grow on tall, leafy stems. The artist used careful details to show the birds’ tiny wings and the soft texture of the petals. This kind of careful nature drawing was common in the 1800s. Look up lithography to see how artists like this made prints before photography.
