Upupa Epops Possibly 1862 - 1873

Adam B. Walter created this print of two hoopoes, the Upupa epops, rendered with watercolor and graphite, sometime between 1820 and 1880. During this era, natural history was entwined with imperial exploration and scientific classification. In representing the hoopoe, Walter participates in a visual ordering of the natural world, reflecting his cultural context, where categorizing nature was a way of knowing and controlling it. Walter's hoopoes, with their striking crests and delicate plumage, evoke a sense of wonder. The birds' features are meticulously detailed, their colors vibrant, inviting the viewer to appreciate their unique beauty. Walter’s print not only showcases the hoopoe’s physical attributes but also highlights its place within the broader ecological tapestry. Here, the hoopoe is presented not just as a specimen, but as a living being amidst its natural surroundings.