Fire-Backed Sunbird, plate 15 from Birds of Western Africa
Medium
Classification
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Gift of Hamill and Barker
Accession Number
1961-105-173
Rights
Public Domain
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Behold the dazzling Fire-Backed Sunbird depicted in plate 15 from *Birds of Western Africa*, a hand-colored print crafted by Scottish engraver William Lizars in 1837. Lizars (1788–1859), renowned for his precise ornithological illustrations, contributed to the golden age of natural history art, blending scientific accuracy with artistic flair. This work, now in the Smithsonian American Art Museum collection (gift of Hamill and Barker), the meticulous techniques of 19th-century printmaking, where engraving or lithography allowed for detailed feathers, iridescent plumage, and lifelike poses to leap off the page. In the context of European exploration and colonial expeditions into Africa, such prints served as vital tools for documenting and sharing discoveries of exotic species with scholars and enthusiasts back home. The Fire-Backed Sunbird, with its fiery hues, highlights the era's fascination with avian biodiversity, making complex science accessible and beautiful. Though research continues, this plate invites us to marvel at nature's artistry through Lizars' skilled hand.