The Tropic Bird (Phaeton aethereus)
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1752
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows two birds in flight. The first is a white bird with long, pointed wings and a bright red beak and feet, soaring against a plain background. The second is a smaller, brown bird with a curved beak, perched on a green patch of land. The white bird is labeled "Der Tropicvogel" and "L'Oiseau des Tropiques," hinting it’s a tropical species. The artist used careful hand coloring to highlight details like the bird’s feathers and the perch. If you like this style, check out the technique: etching.
