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Prunell's Hummingbird | Original Reichenbach Antique Engraving
  • Prunell's Hummingbird | Original Reichenbach Antique Engraving
  • Prunell's Hummingbird | Original Reichenbach Antique Engraving
  • Prunell's Hummingbird | Original Reichenbach Antique Engraving
Prunell's Hummingbird | Original Reichenbach Antique Engraving
Prunell's Hummingbird (Bourcieria prunellii) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, Antique Print Prunell's Hummingbird (Bourcieria prunellii) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, Antique Print Prunell's Hummingbird (Bourcieria prunellii) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, Antique Print

Prunell's Hummingbird (Bourcieria prunellii) – Original Hand-Colored Engraving by Ludwig Reichenbach, Antique Print

€445.00
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An original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio, depicting Bourcieria prunellii among the vibrant blossoms of Achimenes picta. A refined composition balancing quiet observation and graceful flight in one of the most elegant plates of the series.

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  Authentic antique prints

Original engravings from the 17th–19th century.

Between Stillness and Flight: A Study in Hummingbird Elegance

This refined original nineteenth-century hand-colored engraving from Ludwig Reichenbach's Trochilinarum Enumeratio depicts Bourcieria prunellii, associated by Reichenbach with Colombia and New Granada. The plate presents two hummingbirds among the vivid tubular blossoms of Achimenes picta, creating a composition of remarkable clarity and elegance.

Rather than relying on abundance, the engraving achieves its strength through contrast. One bird rests in quiet observation above the flowering plant, while the other hovers below in active flight, transforming the scene into a graceful study of stillness, movement and natural behaviour.

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Visual Analysis

The composition is built around a striking diagonal relationship between the perched bird, the flowering stem and the feeding individual below. This creates a visual tension that is both calm and dynamic, allowing the viewer to move naturally between observation and action.

The dark velvety plumage, brilliant white breast and small blue crown accent give the birds a bold graphic presence, while the red and yellow blossoms of Achimenes picta introduce warmth, rhythm and botanical richness. The generous white background enhances the modern elegance of the plate and allows each form to stand with exceptional clarity.

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About the Species

This engraving depicts Bourcieria prunellii, recorded by Reichenbach in association with Colombia and New Granada. The species is presented through two complementary poses, revealing both the poised stillness and the hovering flight that made hummingbirds such captivating subjects for nineteenth-century naturalists.

Reichenbach associated Bourcieria prunellii with Achimenes picta Bentham, a tropical flowering plant whose tubular, brightly patterned blossoms are ideally suited to nectar-feeding birds. The pairing beautifully expresses the ecological relationship between hummingbirds and the specialised flowers they visit.

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Heritage Stories

This engraving belongs to Ludwig Reichenbach's remarkable world of hummingbirds, where Victorian scientific curiosity meets extraordinary visual elegance. Explore the story behind Trochilinarum Enumeratio and discover why these original hummingbird engravings remain so compelling today.

Ludwig Reichenbach and the Art of Hummingbirds →

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Condition Report

Very Good condition. Original nineteenth-century paper with strong hand colouring and a clear plate mark. Minor age-related signs may be present, entirely consistent with authenticity and the historical character of the work.

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Details

Species: Bourcieria prunellii (Bourcier & Mulsant, 1843)
Common name: Prunell's Hummingbird
Work: Trochilinarum Enumeratio
Author: Ludwig Reichenbach
Date: c. 1855–1860
Technique: Original hand-colored engraving
Plate: DCCXLVIII (748)
Reference numbers: 4716–17
Inscription: ad naturam (“drawn from life”)
Associated plant: Achimenes picta Bentham
Origin noted by Reichenbach: Colombia, New Granada
Sheet size: approx. 28.5 × 22.5 cm

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