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Sri Lankan Drongos (Dissemurus paradiseus & Dissemurus lophorhinus) – Original Antique Bird Print by Keulemans
€315.00
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Original nineteenth-century bird print depicting two remarkable Sri Lankan drongos — Dissemurus paradiseus and Dissemurus lophorhinus — illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon. Distinguished by deep iridescent plumage and elegant elongated forms, this refined ornithological lithograph combines scientific precision with understated decorative sophistication.
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Authentic antique prints
Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.
Sri Lankan Drongos: Iridescent Darkness and Quiet Elegance in Victorian Bird Art
This original nineteenth-century bird print depicts two remarkable Sri Lankan drongos — Dissemurus paradiseus and Dissemurus lophorhinus — illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans for William Vincent Legge’s celebrated Birds of Ceylon.
Unlike more vividly coloured tropical bird engravings, this composition reveals Keulemans’ mastery of tonal subtlety — transforming near-monochrome plumage into an image of exceptional depth, refinement and visual sophistication.
— • —
Visual and Aesthetic Analysis
At first glance, the composition appears restrained — almost minimal — yet closer observation reveals extraordinary complexity. Keulemans builds the image through subtle tonal shifts of deep midnight blue, charcoal and iridescent black, giving the plumage an almost velvety luminosity.
The elegant elongated tail feathers create vertical movement and architectural rhythm, while the contrasting positions of the two birds establish quiet visual dialogue. The larger drongo commands the composition with sculptural presence, balanced by the lower bird’s more intimate posture.
Soft botanical elements in muted greens and warm earth tones provide atmospheric balance without competing for attention. The restrained palette makes this engraving unusually versatile from a decorative perspective, lending it a refined and contemporary feel despite its nineteenth-century origin.
The result is a sophisticated natural history engraving whose strength lies not in spectacle, but in elegance, subtlety and exceptional visual balance.
About the Sri Lankan Drongos
Drongos are admired for their intelligence, distinctive silhouettes and highly expressive behaviour. The species represented here — Dissemurus paradiseus and Dissemurus lophorhinus — belong to Sri Lanka’s unique avifauna and attracted strong interest among Victorian ornithologists for their unusual plumage and elegant morphology.
Their elongated tail feathers and subtle iridescent sheen made them particularly compelling subjects for artists such as Keulemans, whose technical skill allowed even dark plumage to be rendered with remarkable richness and dimensionality.
Heritage Stories
This engraving belongs to Birds of Ceylon, William Vincent Legge’s important ornithological survey of Sri Lankan birdlife, illustrated by Johannes Gerardus Keulemans, one of the most respected bird artists of the Victorian period.
Keulemans’ mastery lay not only in depicting vivid tropical species, but also in rendering tonal subtlety — transforming dark plumage into compositions rich in texture, light and atmosphere.
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: Dissemurus paradiseus & Dissemurus lophorhinus (Sri Lankan Drongos)
- 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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