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Sri Lankan Mynas (Eulabes ptilogenys & Acridotheres melanosternus) – Original Antique Bird Print by Keulemans
€295.00
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Original nineteenth-century bird print depicting two remarkable Sri Lankan mynas — Eulabes ptilogenys and Acridotheres melanosternus — illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon. Distinguished by rich iridescent plumage and refined compositional balance, this elegant ornithological lithograph combines scientific precision with exceptional decorative sophistication.
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Authentic antique prints
Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
Sri Lankan Mynas: Iridescent Elegance and Victorian Natural History Art
This original nineteenth-century bird print depicts two remarkable Sri Lankan mynas — Eulabes ptilogenys and Acridotheres melanosternus — illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon.
Combining rich colour, refined composition and scientific precision, the engraving captures the distinctive personality of these birds through Keulemans’ masterful balance of observation and artistic restraint.
— • —
Visual and Aesthetic Analysis
The visual power of this engraving lies in its elegant chromatic restraint. Deep midnight blues, charcoal browns and soft ivory tones dominate the composition, interrupted by carefully placed accents of vivid yellow and orange around the beaks and facial details.
Keulemans establishes a refined dialogue between the two birds: the larger myna commands attention with its iridescent plumage and expressive posture, while the second bird introduces compositional balance and quiet contrast. Together they form a remarkably harmonious arrangement.
The subdued botanical background enhances the engraving’s sophistication, allowing the birds themselves to emerge with sculptural clarity. Particularly notable is the subtle rendering of feathers, where tonal variation creates an almost velvety surface quality.
Unlike more dramatic tropical plates, this engraving achieves distinction through elegance and visual refinement — making it especially suited for interiors seeking understated yet intellectually rich decorative presence.
About the Sri Lankan Mynas
The species represented here — Eulabes ptilogenys and Acridotheres melanosternus — belong to Sri Lanka’s remarkable endemic avifauna. Known for their intelligence, vocal behaviour and striking plumage, mynas attracted considerable interest among nineteenth-century naturalists.
Through works such as Birds of Ceylon, these species became part of a broader Victorian fascination with island biodiversity, tropical ecosystems and the scientific cataloguing of rare birds.
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, one of the most respected bird artists of the Victorian period.
Keulemans’ ability to unite scientific precision with visual elegance made his engravings enduring references in ornithology while also giving them lasting decorative appeal far beyond scientific publishing.
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 engraving remains unusually well preserved and visually refined.
Details
- Author: William Vincent Legge
- Work: Birds of Ceylon
- Artist: Johannes Gerardus Keulemans
- Artist credit: “J.C. Keulemans lith.” present in the plate
- Printer: “Hanhart imp.” present in the plate
- Species: Eulabes ptilogenys & Acridotheres melanosternus (Sri Lankan Mynas)
- 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 two remarkable Sri Lankan mynas — Eulabes ptilogenys and Acridotheres melanosternus — illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon. Distinguished by rich iridescent plumage and refined compositional balance, this elegant ornithological lithograph combines scientific precision with exceptional decorative sophistication.