Tharmastura enicura (Slender Shear-Tail)
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1842
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows three bright green hummingbirds around a tall plant with long leaves and orange flowers. One bird is perched on a branch, another hovers nearby, and the third flies downward. The background is a soft, light blue, and the birds have purple throats and long, thin tails. The artist used careful details to show the birds’ feathers and the plant’s texture. The colors are vivid, making the scene feel lively. Next, look up lithography to see how this image was made.
