Artwork
Psittacus viridis minor Mexicanus
Psittacus viridis minor Mexicanus is an ink print by the Baroque artist Johann Sebastian Leitner. It dates from 1755 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:across top in plate: Der weiss gebrustete Bavagen / Tab.XLIV.; across bottom in plate: G.Eduards ad viv.delin. / J.M. Seligmann excudit. / Joh.Sebast.Leitner Sculps. / ... blanche.
About this work
Overview
Johann Sebastian Leitner’s hand‑colored etching, titled Psittacus viridis minor Mexicanus, dates from 1755. Executed on laid paper, the work presents a single parrot rendered in fine line work and subtle coloration. The composition is simple, focusing attention on the bird without decorative background elements.
Subject & Meaning
The image depicts a small, bright‑green Mexican parrot perched on a slender branch. By isolating the bird against an unadorned surface, Leitner emphasizes its vivid plumage and natural form, inviting viewers to consider the creature’s exotic qualities and the 18th‑century fascination with New World fauna.
Technique & Style
Leitner employed traditional etching methods, incising delicate lines that convey the feather structure and the bird’s posture. After printing, he applied hand‑coloring, using greens and yellows to model the plumage and tiny ink dots to suggest texture. Such meticulous hand‑coloring was uncommon in mid‑1700s prints, highlighting the artist’s technical care.
History & Provenance
Created in 1755, the print reflects the period’s growing interest in natural history illustration. While specific ownership records are scarce, the work is attributed to Leitner, a German printmaker known for detailed botanical and zoological subjects. It remains an example of early scientific art that bridges observation and aesthetic presentation.
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Artist & collection
