Artwork
Three Hummingbirds with Plant

Three Hummingbirds with Plant is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach. It dates from 1836 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Three Hummingbirds with Plant is a hand-colored etching created by Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach in 1836, featuring three hummingbirds amidst a floral cluster.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts three bright green hummingbirds in flight near vibrant, multi-colored flowers with long, thin petals. The birds are detailed with colorful, elongated beaks and shimmering red, orange, and yellow wing edges.
Technique & Style
Reichenbach employed careful, precise lines to capture the birds' minute details, such as wing feathers, characteristic of the scientific illustration style prevalent during the period. The etching technique allowed for detailed prints, with subsequent hand-coloring adding vibrancy.
History & Provenance
Created in 1836 by Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach, specific provenance details are not provided in the available information.
Context
The work reflects the intersection of artistic and scientific practices of the 19th century, where detailed etchings served both aesthetic and informational purposes.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of 'Three Hummingbirds with Plant' are not provided, it contributes to the broader heritage of 19th-century scientific and natural history illustrations.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach
Heinrich Gottlieb Ludwig Reichenbach (1793–1879) was an artist.










