Blue-Cheeked Bee-Eater, Plate 7 from Birds of Western Africa
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Hamill and Barker
Accession Number
1961-105-165
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This vibrant print, created in 1837 by artist and engraver William Home Lizars, captures the Blue-Cheeked Bee-E with remarkable precision. As Plate 7 from the publication *Birds of Western Africa*, the work reflects the 19th-century fascination with natural history and global exploration. Lizars, known for his detailed engravings in ornithological volumes, brought scientific accuracy to life through careful observation of plumage, posture, and habitat. Prints like this played a vital role in sharing knowledge during an era before widespread photography. They allowed scholars, collectors, and ...