The Family of Toucans: The Complete Plates by John Gould, Pub. By Taschen, 2011

Description

This new in box set of 51 reproduction prints is Taschen’s resuscitation of John Gould’s original ~1850 series of prints. … more This new in box set of 51 reproduction prints is Taschen’s resuscitation of John Gould’s original ~1850 series of prints. The Family of Toucans comes in an impressively unwieldy box, measured at 13.3 by 19.3 inches. Inside is a 31-page booklet in English, French, and German (which serves as a preamble for the following 51 prints) and provides a biography of Gould and a brief outline of the history of the toucan in the arts and sciences.

The 51 ready-to-frame art print reproductions from 2011 depict John Gould’s toucans, which are arguably the most striking and dramatic bird illustrations ever published. Gould (1804–1881), one of the most prolific ornithological artists of the 19th century, had a romantic enthusiasm for winged creatures, as well as a passion for natural history and a impulse to catalog. Drawing on his outstanding scientific and artistic talents, he embarked on a series of projects that would eventually make him the leading publisher of ornithological illustrations in Victorian Britain. Gould’s unparalleled career spanned five decades, during which he produced a series of books depicting birds from all over the world.

The dazzling illustrations from Gould’s Monograph of the Ramphastidae, or Family of Toucans, 1852-1854 represent his most dramatic, magnificent images. The amazing range of vivid colors—shiny black, vibrant red, yellow, and orange—creates an unprecedented sense of animation. Shown against simple backgrounds, Gould’s toucans look very much alive, as if they were about to take flight. He made several trips to central European museums to gather material for Toucans, and after publication of the first edition, redrew some of the plates and added 20 new birds to this revised and expanded second edition. All are included in these touchingly beautiful reproductions of Gould’s hand-colored lithographs.

Publisher : ‎TASCHEN; First Edition (October 28, 2011)
Author : Jonathan Elphick
Language : English
Paperback : 118 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 383650524X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-3836505246
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 10 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 14 x 1.5 x 20 inches
Genre: Art
Topic: General, Subjects & Themes / Plants & Animals, European

Excellent, like-new condition. Very minor wear to edges of box. less