Plate - 1891 - 1898

This lithograph, created by William Matthew Hart between 1891 and 1898, depicts a "Pteridophora alberti" bird, commonly known as the King Bird of Paradise. The intricate details of the bird's plumage, its striking black and yellow coloration, and its long, trailing tail feathers are meticulously captured. The bird is perched on a branch against a backdrop of trees and a hazy sky, creating a sense of depth and realism. This exquisite piece, housed at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, showcases Hart's talent for botanical and ornithological illustration, a popular genre in the 19th century.