Psittacus albus cristatus maximus
1755
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From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1755
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
You see a large white parrot perched on a branch. Its red tail feathers stand out against pale gray wings. The bird looks calm but alert, head turned slightly to the side. This isn't just any parrot image. It’s a hand-colored etching from the 1700s, rare because color was often added later by owners, not artists. The artist made many precise lines to show every feather. Look up etching.
