Red-sided Parrot (*Eclectus r. macgillivrayi*) – Original lithograph by Green, Mathews (1910–27)

Eclectus Parrots: Emerald and Crimson in Perfect Counterpoint

This original early twentieth-century hand-colored lithograph depicts Eclectus macgillivrayi (Eclectus Parrot), presented as a striking pair that showcases the species’ celebrated sexual dimorphism. The plate belongs to The Birds of Australia, Gregory M. Mathews’ monumental ornithological publication, illustrated here by Roland Green.

Two birds occupy the sheet in a deliberate chromatic dialogue: the male in deep emerald green with a warm coral bill, and the female in saturated crimson with violet-black wings. Their mirrored attitudes transform scientific illustration into a composition of near-modern graphic power.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

Roland Green constructs the scene around contrast and balance. The male’s plumage is built from layered greens, subtly shaded to suggest feather depth without breaking the clarity of the silhouette. The female, rendered in dense crimson, introduces a dramatic mass of colour that is elegantly controlled by the dark wing field and the fine modelling around the head and beak.

The composition is unusually architectural: two bodies angled in opposing directions, held together by the branching structure and softened foliage. The background remains restrained and atmospheric, allowing the birds’ colours to dominate while maintaining refinement. It is a plate designed to read instantly at a distance—highly decorative, yet never merely ornamental.

About the Species

Eclectus parrots are native to the rainforests of northern Australia and nearby islands. Their extreme sexual dimorphism—green males and red females—confused early European naturalists, who initially classified them as separate species.

By the early twentieth century, the Eclectus had become emblematic of the region’s biological distinctiveness and of the evolving precision of ornithological taxonomy. A paired depiction such as this not only aids identification, but also communicates the astonishing visual logic of nature itself.

Condition Report

Very good antique condition. Fresh original hand-coloring with strong lithographic impression. Printed on fine early twentieth-century wove paper. Minor age toning slightly more visible along the outer margins, consistent with age.

Details

• Author: Gregory M. Mathews
• Illustrator: Roland Green (“Green del.”)
• Work: The Birds of Australia
• Species: Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus macgillivrayi)
• Period: circa 1910
• Technique: Original hand-colored lithograph
• Paper: Fine original wove paper
• Publisher: Witherby & Co.

For further insight into Roland Green’s contribution to ornithological illustration: Roland Green – Dynamic Vision and Field-Born Precision in Bird Art