Promerops and Common Hoopoe (*Promerope*) - (*Upupa epops*) Original hand-colored Antique Print by Prêtre (c.1835)

Occo and Guinea Fowl: Dark Silhouettes and Speckled Precision

This refined ornithological engraving presents two gallinaceous birds identified in the plate as Aletori – Occo mituporanga and Gallina di Faraone comune. The sheet belongs to the ornithological section of the Dizionario di Scienze Naturali, where Pierre Antoine Prêtre documents both tropical and African species with disciplined clarity.

The upper Occo is rendered as a compact dark mass, while the lower Guinea Fowl introduces fine speckled patterning and subtle chromatic variation, producing a composition based more on texture than brilliance.

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Visual and Aesthetic Analysis

The Occo (a curassow-type bird associated with the genus Crax) is depicted with deep blue-black plumage and a strong upright stance. The restrained palette enhances the sculptural quality of the form, while the yellow beak provides a discreet focal accent.

Below, the Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) is articulated through delicate stippled feather work. The grey body dotted with pale markings contrasts with the vivid red facial wattles, introducing chromatic tension within an otherwise neutral tonal scheme. The generous white ground maintains the cabinet-of-curiosities clarity characteristic of early nineteenth-century zoological plates.

About the Subject

Curassows (family Cracidae) are large tropical birds native to Central and South America. In nineteenth-century Europe they were regarded as exotic and rarely observed species, contributing to the encyclopedic ambition of global documentation.

The Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris) originates from Africa and was introduced into Europe centuries earlier. Its distinctive spotted plumage made it a frequent subject in natural history illustration, appreciated for its ornamental surface texture rather than vibrant coloration.

Condition Report

The engraving is in very good antique condition. The impression is clean and well-defined, with preserved 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: Occo (associated with Crax sp.) & Guinea Fowl (Numida meleagris)
• 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