Selashorus scintilla (Scintillant Hummingbird)
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows a hummingbird hovering near a cluster of pink flowers. The bird has bright green and brown feathers, with a long beak and wings spread wide. Behind it, the plant has broad leaves and small buds just starting to open. The artist focused on the bird’s motion, making it look almost alive. The flowers and leaves are painted in soft colors, with careful details in the petals and stems. Try looking up lithography to see how this kind of print was made.
