Parrots by Lear

"The Parrots" (Edward Lear, 1830-1832)

Edward Lear (1812-1888) was an English artist, illustrator, musician, author and poet. With his work The Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots, Lear’s coloured litographs marked a profound shift in naturalistic illustration, breaking the tradition of previous ornithological illustration. Drawing rapidly and lightly, yet with extreme precision, he infused his unique compositions with hints of movement in certain typical poses assumed by birds, which had never been reproduced hitherto. These are facsimiles printed by Taschen.

(© 2009 TASCHEN GmbH)