Sepp & Nozeman, Bird Illustration of the Green Woodpecker, 1770, Print

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Antique print titled 'picus martius sive viridis'. The european green woodpecker (picus viridis) is a member of the woodpecker family … Read more Antique print titled 'picus martius sive viridis'. The european green woodpecker (picus viridis) is a member of the woodpecker family picidae. There are four subspecies and it occurs in most parts of europe and in western asia. All have green upperparts, paler yellowish underparts, a red crown and moustachial stripe which has a red centre in males but is all black in females. The european green woodpecker spends much of its time feeding on ants on the ground and does not often 'drum' on trees like other woodpecker species. It is a shy bird but usually draws attention with its loud calls. A nest hole is excavated in a tree; four to six eggs are laid which hatch after 19–20 days. This print originates from 'nederlandsche vogelen; volgens hunne huisdouding, aert, en eigenschappen beschreeven", amsterdam, 1770-1829 by c. Nozeman, m. Houttuyn and j.c. Sepp. This is the most important and first study in the netherlands of ornithology at that time. The birds are depicted as they are in life, said to be depicted close to life-sized and in their environment. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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