Promerops (Bird of Paradise type) & Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Prêtre, c.1835

True Gold and the Theatre of Paradise Birds

This exceptional ornithological engraving brings together two dramatically contrasting subjects: an Epimaco / Promerope (a bird-of-paradise type, titled in the plate “Epimaco o Promerope a paramonti frizzati”) and the Common Hoopoe (historically named “Bubbola comune”, Upupa epops). A small anatomical study of a bill (“Becco del Gracchio forestiero”) completes the plate, reflecting the encyclopedic method of the period—beauty presented through comparison, morphology, and detail.

The upper figure is pure vertical drama: a dark, iridescent body with an extraordinarily elongated tail that reads like a calligraphic stroke across the sheet. The lower hoopoe offers the perfect counterpoint—compact, luminous, and crowned with an architectural crest. What elevates this plate into top-tier collecting territory is the presence of true gold enhancement, applied to feather details of the Promerope figure, creating a discreet but unmistakable brilliance when the sheet catches light.

The engraving belongs to the Italian edition of the Dizionario di Scienze Naturali (Florence, Battelli press), one of the most ambitious encyclopedic scientific enterprises of its time, for which Pierre Antoine Prêtre produced some of the most accomplished zoological illustrations of the early nineteenth century.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The composition is designed around contrast in scale, palette, and gesture. The bird-of-paradise type occupies the upper register with commanding elegance: a near-black body with subtle colour vibration, accented by jewel-like wing flashes, and a tail that descends in a long, sculptural line. The branch is minimal, allowing the silhouette to dominate like an emblem.

Below, the hoopoe introduces warmth and ornament: glowing ochres, crisp black-and-white barring, and a fan-like crest that feels almost ceremonial. The plate’s refinement lies in its restraint—ample white space, clean separation between subjects, and a disciplined colour logic. The true gold enhancement on the Promerope feathers adds an additional layer of luxury without ever becoming ostentatious.

About the Subject

The “Epimaco / Promerope” in this plate belongs to the nineteenth-century European fascination with birds of paradise—species celebrated for extreme tail structures, iridescent plumage, and display-oriented ornament. Historical names and classifications shifted frequently in early sources; today, many comparable forms are associated with the birds-of-paradise family (Paradisaeidae), often placed within or near the genus Epimachus. Regardless of modern taxonomy, the subject was chosen for a clear reason: it represents nature at its most theatrical, an ideal specimen for both scientific comparison and collector appeal.

The “Bubbola comune” is the Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops), a bird admired across Europe for its unmistakable crest and striking wing pattern. In natural history illustration, hoopoes offered “readable” diagnostic traits—crest structure, barring, and bill shape—making them ideal for encyclopedic plates. The additional bill study (“Becco del Gracchio forestiero”) reflects the period’s comparative method: isolating anatomical features so they could be examined with clarity, independent of the full figure.

Condition Report

The engraving is in excellent antique condition. The impression is clean and fresh, with well-preserved period hand-colouring and a notably crisp presentation. The sheet also features true gold enhancement on feather details of the Promerope (bird-of-paradise type), visible as a refined metallic brilliance under light. The paper is smooth early nineteenth-century wove paper (non-laid), consistent with Italian scientific editions of the period. No watermark has been observed. Any minor age toning is consistent with antique paper and does not affect the plate’s visual impact.

Details

• Artist (drawn by): Pierre Antoine Prêtre (“Prêtre dip.”)
• Scientific direction: Turpin (“Turpin direx.”)
• Engraver: Corsi (“Corsi inc.”)
• Work / Publication: Dizionario di Scienze Naturali – Sacchetti Collection
• Subjects: “Epimaco o Promerope a paramonti frizzati” (bird-of-paradise type, often linked to Epimachus group) & Common Hoopoe (Upupa epops); plus bill study (“Becco del Gracchio forestiero”)
• Period: early 19th century (c. 1835)
• Technique: Original hand-colored copperplate engraving; true gold enhancement
• Paper: Original smooth wove paper
• Watermark: None observed
• Sheet size: approximately 22 × 15 cm

For further context on Pierre Antoine Prêtre and his contribution to nineteenth-century zoological illustration, see our editorial feature:

Pierre Antoine Prêtre – Illustrator of Natural Science and Marine Life