Von Wright, Duck Illustrations, 1920, Prints, Set of 6

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The vintage duck prints from the second edition of "Svenska fåglar, efter naturen och på sten ritade" (Swedish Birds, Drawn … Read more The vintage duck prints from the second edition of "Svenska fåglar, efter naturen och på sten ritade" (Swedish Birds, Drawn from Nature and on Stone) represent an exquisite collection of chromolithographs, a form of lithography that relies on color separations to produce rich, vibrant images. Published around 1920 and printed by A. Bortzells in Stockholm, these prints encapsulate the beauty and diversity of Swedish avian species through the expert eye of Magnus von Wright. The ducks depicted in the prints you've provided are as follows: 1. **Anas penelope** - Known as the Eurasian Wigeon, this duck is identifiable by its round head with a buff forehead and a russet-brown head. 2. **Anas acuta** - This is the Northern Pintail, distinguished by its long, pointed tail feathers and a white breast with a slender neck. 3. **Eniconetta stelleri** - Eniconetta stelleri, more commonly known as Steller's Eider, is a small sea duck named after the German naturalist Georg Wilhelm Steller. It is renowned for its striking plumage and is the smallest eider species. Males have a distinctive breeding plumage with a combination of black, white, buff, and a unique greenish patch on the nape, while females are characterized by a more subdued brown color with fine barring, which provides excellent camouflage. Steller's Eiders are found in the coastal Arctic tundra of northeastern Europe, Siberia, and Alaska. They prefer shallow waters where they dive to feed mainly on mollusks and crustaceans. Outside the breeding season, they can be found in flocks in ice-free northern coastal waters. 4. **Nyroca marila** - Nyroca marila, known today as Aythya marila, is commonly referred to as the Greater Scaup. This diving duck is found in northern latitudes across North America and Eurasia and is often seen in large flocks during migration and winter. The male Greater Scaup has a distinctive appearance with a glossy black head, often showing iridescent green or purple tones, white sides, and a barred grey back. It also features bright yellow eyes and a blue-grey bill with a black tip. The female, in contrast, has more subdued brown plumage with white patches around the base of the bill, which is a typical characteristic of female Aythya species. Greater Scaups prefer large, deep lakes and coastal estuaries where they dive to feed on a variety of aquatic invertebrates and plants. Their diet consists mainly of mollusks, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and some aquatic vegetation. In artwork such as the chromolithographs, the Greater Scaup would be depicted with an emphasis on the distinct coloration and markings of the plumage, as well as its stout body shape and habitat preference, staying true to the standards of ornithological accuracy and aesthetics of the time. 5. **Anas strepera** - This is also the Gadwall, named similarly to the Mareca strepera. Taxonomical names can be updated or changed over time, and it's not uncommon for the same species to have slight variations in their scientific names across different publications or editions. 8. **Nyroca ferina** - The Nyroca Ferina, commonly known as the Common Pochard, is a medium-sized diving duck with distinctive plumage. The male Pochard has a rich, chestnut-red head and neck, a black chest and tail, and a pale grey to silvery body. Its eyes are red, and it has a dark grey bill. During the breeding season, these colors become more vibrant. The female, in contrast, is more subdued in coloration, with brownish tones throughout and a more pronounced facial pattern. These ducks are often found on lakes, rivers, and marshlands across Europe and Asia, where they dive for plant food and invertebrates. The Common Pochard is a migratory bird, spending winters in southern and western Europe, northern Africa, and south Asia to escape the frozen waters of its breeding range. In the chromolithograph, the Nyroca Ferina is likely depicted with the precision and attention to detail that was typical of ornithological illustrations of the time, aimed at providing a lifelike representation of the species for both scientific study and appreciation by bird enthusiasts. The prints are a beautiful representation of these species, highlighting the detailed features that can help in identifying and distinguishing them in their natural environments. Magnus, alongside his brothers Wilhelm and Ferdinand, gained acclaim not only as skillful taxidermists but also as some of the most proficient zoological illustrators of their time. Magnus began his career in the 1820s, preparing bird specimens for Societas pro Flora et Fauna Fennica, Finland's oldest scientific society, and later for the zoological museum at the university. The legacy of the von Wright brothers is deeply entrenched in their artistic endeavors, which brought the richness of the Nordic fauna to the public. The first edition of "Svenska fåglar" was released between 1828 and 1837, followed by Magnus's pioneering handbook on Finnish birds in 1859. The chromolithographs from the second edition carry forward this tradition, showcasing his and his brothers' intricate and accurate depictions of birds, which were not only scientifically valuable but also works of art in their own right. These prints, now antiques, continue to be treasured for their historical significance and the skillful portrayal of birds in their natural habitats. See less