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  • rainbow-parakeets-antique-engraving-pauquet
rainbow-parakeets-antique-engraving-pauquet
Rose-Ringed & Plum-Headed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri, Psittacula cyanocephala) – Antique Engraving by Pauquet

Rose-Ringed & Plum-Headed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri, Psittacula cyanocephala) – Antique Engraving by Pauquet

€1,250.00
Tax included

Highly decorative 19th-century engraving of exotic parakeets with vivid blue, red and yellow plumage. A striking and colorful antique bird print.

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  Authentic antique prints

Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.

Rainbow Parakeets: Vivid Contrast and Exotic Brilliance

This original 19th-century hand-colored engraving depicts two parakeets, traditionally associated with brightly coloured species of the genus Lorius or related exotic parrots, drawn and engraved by the Pauquet brothers and published under the direction of Charles Lemaire. The composition exemplifies the most decorative dimension of natural history illustration, where colour and form take a central role.

Executed within the tradition of “Peintes d’Après Nature”, the birds are rendered with striking immediacy — their vivid plumage and dynamic positioning transforming the scientific subject into a visually compelling and highly decorative image.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is structured along a strong vertical axis, with the two birds arranged in a mirrored interaction along a branching perch. This organisation creates both balance and visual tension, guiding the eye through the image with clarity.

The upper bird presents a striking combination of deep blue and vivid red, contrasted by bright green wings, while the lower bird introduces a bold yellow mass that amplifies the chromatic intensity of the scene. Together, they form a palette of exceptional richness and contrast.

Elongated tail feathers and angular positioning introduce movement and elegance, while the surrounding foliage softens the composition and anchors it within a natural setting.

The overall effect is highly vibrant and decorative — a composition that immediately captures attention and functions as a strong focal point within an interior.

About the Species

Brightly coloured parrots from tropical regions were among the most admired subjects in 19th-century ornithological illustration. Their intense coloration and expressive forms made them particularly suited to hand-coloured engraving.

In European collections, such birds symbolised both scientific curiosity and the fascination with distant environments, embodying a visual richness that continues to appeal to collectors today.

Heritage Stories

This engraving belongs to the refined tradition of 19th-century natural history illustration, published under the direction of Charles Lemaire and brought to life through the work of the Pauquet brothers. Working in close collaboration as an engraving atelier, Hippolyte and Polydore Pauquet combined scientific precision with a refined decorative clarity.

Created within the visual culture of “Peintes d’Après Nature”, the composition preserves both the liveliness of the subject and the expressive use of colour, resulting in a print that is both scientifically informed and visually striking.

Explore the full collection of exotic bird engravings: Lemaire – Exotic Birds

Discover more about the engravers in our editorial feature: Pauquet — Engravers of Exotic Natural History

Condition Report

Very good antique condition. The original hand-coloring remains vivid and well preserved, with strong engraved detail throughout. Printed on fine period paper. The sheet shows light, even toning along the edges consistent with age, while the central image remains bright and visually striking. A particularly decorative and impactful impression.

Details

  • Artist: Pauquet brothers (Hippolyte & Polydore Pauquet)
  • Publisher: Charles Lemaire
  • Subject: Exotic Parakeets
  • Period: 19th century
  • Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
  • Paper: Fine period paper
  • Watermark: None observed
  • Sheet size: approx. 23 × 13 cm
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