Plate 25, from "Histoire naturelle des perroquets" 1801 - 1806

Editor: Here we have Plate 25 from "Histoire naturelle des perroquets" by François Levaillant, created sometime between 1801 and 1806. It's a beautifully detailed print, using watercolor and colored pencil. The bird itself is quite striking, perched so serenely. It feels almost like a photograph, capturing a specific moment in time. What strikes you most when you look at it? Curator: Oh, isn't it marvelous? It whispers of a world seen through both a scientist's and a poet's eye. Look at the delicate layering of blues in the bird’s plumage, and the way the light catches its eye… it feels like an attempt to truly *know* this creature. And you know, that little branch, gnarled and a bit mossy, becomes almost a stage for this avian performance. Do you get a sense of longing for the natural world when you see it? Editor: Absolutely! It’s so detailed, almost like you could reach out and touch the feathers. I am curious though: why create such realistic drawings of birds? Curator: Well, think of the era – this was a time of exploration, of "collecting" the world. But it wasn't just about conquest. There was also this fervent desire to document, to classify. Levaillant, he wasn't just drawing a bird; he was offering a glimpse into a vibrant, faraway land. It's science, sure, but touched by a sense of wonder. The quest of knowing turns, through his hand, into something else. Editor: So, it's more than just a pretty picture; it’s a record of discovery. I appreciate seeing the blend of science and art now. It makes me think differently about scientific illustration. Curator: Precisely! Next time you are face to face with such a painting, remind yourself that it stands for the possibility of knowledge but also, perhaps more fundamentally, wonder.