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Caprimulgus Ruficollis

H.C. Richter

1842

ink

paper

From the collection of National Gallery of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century Animal

Dominant colour

Caprimulgus Ruficollis is a 1842 ink by H.C. Richter, a Romanticism work, held at National Gallery of Art.

Who painted this?: H.C. Richter
When & what style?: 1842 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: National Gallery of Art

About this work

This image shows two birds perched on a branch. One bird faces left, the other right, both with soft brown and gray feathers. Their beaks are short and curved, and the branch holds green leaves and a few small berries. The background is plain, letting the birds stand out. The artist used careful shading to show the birds’ feathers in detail. The name at the bottom, *Caprimulgus Ruficollis*, is the scientific term for a type of nightjar. If you like this style, check out lithography to see how artists printed images like this.