Common Starling (*Sturnus vulgaris*) - Wallcreeper (*Tichodroma muraria*) Original hand-colored Antique Print by Prêtre (c.1835)

Iridescent Starlings and the Quiet Precision of the Nuthatch

This refined ornithological engraving presents two familiar yet beautifully distinct European birds: the Storno comune (Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris) and the Picchio muratore (European Nuthatch, Sitta europaea). Rendered with the clarity of a cabinet specimen, both figures are set against a clean ground so that plumage structure, posture, and colour logic can be studied without distraction.

The plate belongs to the Italian edition of the Dizionario di Scienze Naturali (Florence, Battelli press), illustrated by Pierre Antoine Prêtre under the scientific direction of Turpin and engraved with disciplined precision. It exemplifies the nineteenth-century ideal of natural history: faithful observation elevated by compositional elegance.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The upper starling is treated almost like a study in iridescence. Its dark plumage is layered with subtle green, gold, and violet tones that suggest the metallic sheen for which the species is known. The wing coverts are articulated with a decorative, scale-like rhythm, creating a rich surface texture that reads beautifully even at a distance.

Below, the nuthatch introduces a cooler, quieter harmony: blue-grey upperparts, a clean pale breast, and a warm orange wash along the flanks. The contrast between the two birds—one jewel-dark and iridescent, the other crisp and softly coloured—creates a balanced, interior-friendly composition suited to curated spaces where natural detail and restrained colour carry the aesthetic weight.

About the Subject

The Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) has long attracted attention for its shimmering plumage and social behaviour. In nineteenth-century natural history, its iridescence posed an artistic challenge: translating shifting metallic tones into stable pigment. Plates like this demonstrate how hand-colouring could suggest reflective depth through layered greens, purples, and warm highlights.

The European Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) is equally distinctive, known for its ability to climb both up and down tree trunks and to wedge seeds into bark crevices. Its compact body and sharp bill made it a model subject for comparative observation—an example of how behaviour and morphology align. As a pair, starling and nuthatch offer a concise portrait of European woodland life, presented with museum-like clarity.

Condition Report

The engraving is in very good antique condition. The impression is clean and well-preserved, with carefully retained original hand-colouring. The paper is smooth early nineteenth-century wove paper (non-laid), consistent with Italian scientific editions of the period. No watermark has been observed. Minor age toning, if present, is consistent with antique paper and does not affect the legibility or decorative quality of the plate.

Details

• Artist (drawn by): Pierre Antoine Prêtre (“Prêtre dip.”)
• Scientific direction: Turpin (“Turpin direx.”)
• Engraver: Chiussone (“Chiussone inc.”)
• Work / Publication: Dizionario di Scienze Naturali – Sacchetti Collection
• Subjects: Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) & European Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)
• Period: early 19th century (c. 1835)
• Technique: Original hand-colored copperplate engraving
• 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