Woodpecker (William B. Gihon), from The Comic Natural History of the Human Race

Art Historical Context

Step into the whimsical world of 19th American satire with *Woodpecker (William. Gihon)*, a vibrant color lithograph with watercolor and gum from 1851. Created by Robinson, Henry Louis Stephens, and Rosenthal as part of *The Comic Natural History of the Human Race this print belongs to a humorous series that playfully anthropomorphizes notable figures, reimagining them as birds and beasts. Measuring just 11 3/16 x 7 3/16 inches, it's a gem in the Metropolitan Museum of Art Drawings and Prints collection, gifted by Lincoln Kirstein in 1964. At its heart, the artwork skewers William B. Gihon—likely a contemporary public figure—through the lens of caricature, transforming his head into a woodpecker amid leaves, blending sharp satire with natural history parody. Henry Louis Stephens, known for his biting social commentary, employs lithography's precision for bold colors and fine details, enhanced by hand-applied watercolor and gum arabic for a glossy, lifelike sheen that mimics feathers and foliage. This piece captures the era's booming print culture, where affordable lithographs democratized humor and critique, poking fun at society while showcasing technical innovation. A delightful nod to Victorian wit, it invites us to chuckle at human foibles through feathered eyes.

About the Artist

Samuel Robinson|Henry Louis Stephens|Rosenthal (American|American|American) · 1800 |1824 |1840 –1900 |1882 |1900

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania|American, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1824–1882 Bayonne, New Jersey|Philadelphia, Pennsylvania