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Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi) – Original Antique Bird Print by Keulemans
€345.00
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Original nineteenth-century bird print depicting the striking Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi), illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon. This rare ornithological lithograph combines scientific precision with exceptional decorative appeal, featuring vivid crimson plumage and refined naturalistic composition.
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Authentic antique prints
Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
Crimson-backed Flameback: Ornithological Precision and Decorative Drama in Victorian Bird Art
This original nineteenth-century bird print depicts the spectacular Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi), illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon, published in the late nineteenth century.
Among the most visually striking birds of Sri Lanka, this woodpecker is presented in a refined composition that balances scientific observation with remarkable decorative power — transforming ornithological illustration into an object of enduring aesthetic appeal.
— • —
Visual and Aesthetic Analysis
The composition is immediately defined by the vivid crimson plumage of the dominant bird, whose brilliant red mantle creates an arresting focal point against the soft grey-green foliage. The intensity of the colouring is balanced by finely articulated black-and-white patterning across the breast and neck, creating a visual rhythm that rewards close observation.
Keulemans constructs the scene through elegant asymmetry. The larger bird stands upright with quiet authority, while the second figure introduces movement and narrative depth, guiding the eye across the composition. Curving branches and soft botanical elements reinforce a sense of natural harmony without distracting from the avian forms.
Unlike more densely descriptive ornithological plates, this composition places unusual emphasis on visual balance and decorative clarity. The generous surrounding space enhances the sculptural presence of the birds, giving the engraving an almost painterly character and an exceptional decorative quality.
The result is an image of unusual elegance — equally compelling for collectors of natural history and for interiors seeking refined, intellectually rich decoration.
About the Crimson-backed Flameback
The Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi) is a striking species of woodpecker native to Sri Lanka, admired for its vivid scarlet plumage, contrasting black-and-white markings and elegant proportions. Its powerful beak and climbing behaviour make it a characteristic presence of wooded habitats across the island.
During the nineteenth century, tropical bird species such as this fascinated European naturalists and collectors alike, becoming central subjects within ambitious ornithological publications devoted to documenting the biodiversity of distant regions.
Heritage Stories
This engraving belongs to Birds of Ceylon, William Vincent Legge’s important ornithological study of Sri Lankan birdlife, illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans, widely regarded as one of the defining masters of nineteenth-century ornithological illustration.
Unlike more strictly scientific plates, this composition reveals Keulemans’ remarkable sensitivity to posture, colour balance and visual harmony — qualities that continue to make his works highly sought after by collectors and interior designers alike.
Discover more about the artist: Johannes Gerardus Keulemans — Precision and Passion in Ornithological Illustration .
Browse the complete collection: Keulemans – Birds of Ceylon Collection .
For readers wishing to better understand antique prints — from technique and paper to collecting criteria — explore our guide: Antique Prints Guide .
Condition Report
Very good to excellent antique condition. An exceptionally fresh and crisp impression, retaining beautifully preserved original colouring and a remarkably bright, clean appearance. Printed on fine nineteenth-century paper with generous margins. No watermark observed. Minor signs of age may be present, consistent with the period, but the plate remains unusually well preserved and visually striking.
Details
- Author: William Vincent Legge
- Work: Birds of Ceylon
- Artist: Johannes Gerardus Keulemans
- Signature: Full artist signature visible in the plate
- Printer’s credit: Not present on this plate
- Species: Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi)
- Date: Late 19th century
- Technique: Original nineteenth-century lithograph with refined original hand-colouring
- Paper: Original nineteenth-century paper
- Watermark: None observed
- Dimensions: approx. 38 × 28 cm (sheet)
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Original nineteenth-century bird print depicting the striking Crimson-backed Flameback (Chrysocolaptes stricklandi), illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon. This rare ornithological lithograph combines scientific precision with exceptional decorative appeal, featuring vivid crimson plumage and refined naturalistic composition.