Coua Verreauxi – Verreaux’s Coua – Original Hand-Coloured Lithograph

Engraver: John Gerrard Keulemans
Publisher: L’Imprimerie Nationale
Price: £95
Publication Date: Not dated but c.1876
Format: Original hand-coloured lithograph
Condition: In very good condition, unframed
Sheet Size: Sheet Size: 32.5cm x 25cm

Condition:

Original hand-coloured lithograph. Minor age-toning to the margins. In very good indeed, clean condition overall. A rare plate from this important work.

Location: Map Drawer B: FS: Folder JGK 001810

Coua verreauxi: A Brief Description

Coua verreauxi, commonly known as Verreaux’s Coua, is a species of bird in the cuckoo family (Cuculidae), and is endemic to Madagascar. This bird is notable for its vibrant plumage and terrestrial habits, as many of the species in the genus Coua are ground-dwelling birds.

Key Characteristics:

• Scientific Name: Coua verreauxi
• Common Name: Verreaux’s Coua
• Size: This species is medium-sized, typically around 35–40 cm in length.
• Colouration: Verreaux’s Coua is known for its predominantly pale, sandy-grey plumage, which provides good camouflage in its dry, scrubby habitat. Its distinctive feature is the blue patch of bare skin around its eyes, which contrasts with its relatively muted body colour.
• Habitat: Verreaux’s Coua is found primarily in the dry, spiny forests and scrublands of southwestern Madagascar. This habitat is characterized by thorny vegetation and a hot, dry climate, which the bird is well adapted to.
• Diet: Like other couas, it is omnivorous, feeding on insects, small invertebrates, and plant matter such as seeds and fruits. It forages mostly on the ground, where it uses its strong legs to move quickly and dig through leaf litter.
• Behaviour: Verreaux’s Coua is a terrestrial bird that prefers running rather than flying, though it is capable of short flights. Its behaviour is often elusive, making it difficult to spot in the wild. These birds are solitary or found in pairs.

Conservation Status:

Verreaux’s Coua is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, but like many species in Madagascar, it faces threats from habitat loss due to deforestation, agriculture, and livestock grazing. The preservation of the spiny forests of Madagascar is essential for its continued survival.

Interesting Facts:

• Endemic Species: Like all Coua species, Verreaux’s Coua is endemic to Madagascar, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world.
• Named After: The species was named in honour of the French ornithologist Jules Verreaux, who made significant contributions to the study of Madagascar’s avifauna in the 19th century.

Importance:

Verreaux’s Coua is an important part of Madagascar’s unique ecosystem. As a ground-dwelling bird, it plays a role in controlling insect populations and seed dispersal, contributing to the health of the dry forest ecosystem.

John Gerrard Keulemans: A Short Biography

John Gerrard Keulemans (1842–1912) was a prolific and influential Dutch bird illustrator whose work remains celebrated for its accuracy and artistic detail. He was born on June 8, 1842, in Rotterdam, Netherlands. From a young age, he showed an interest in natural history, particularly in birds, and this passion guided him toward a career in scientific illustration.

Early Life and Career

Keulemans studied under Hermann Schlegel at the Natural History Museum in Leiden, where he honed his skills as a naturalist and artist. This connection led to one of his early assignments: joining an expedition to West Africa in 1864 to collect specimens. His work during this period helped him establish his reputation as both a naturalist and an illustrator. He documented various species of birds, adding greatly to the knowledge of African avifauna.

Move to London and Prolific Period

In 1869, Keulemans moved to England, where he would spend the rest of his career. London at that time was a hub of scientific research and publishing, making it an ideal base for an artist like Keulemans. He quickly became a leading illustrator for many of the major ornithological works of the 19th century.

Major Works

Keulemans illustrated more than 100 books on natural history, with his most famous contributions to:

• “The Birds of Great Britain” (1862–1873) by John Gould – Keulemans contributed to many of Gould’s other works, but this publication remains one of the most significant.
• “A History of the Birds of New Zealand” (1873, 1888, 1906) by Sir Walter Buller – Keulemans’ illustrations were essential to the understanding of New Zealand’s birdlife.
• “The Ibis” and “Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London” – leading ornithological journals where Keulemans’ works regularly appeared.
• “The Avifauna of Laysan” and “The Birds of the Hawaiian Islands” by R. C. L. Perkins.

Keulemans’ distinctive style involved the meticulous depiction of birds in natural, life-like poses. His plates were highly detailed, showcasing the nuances of feathers and anatomy, and he often portrayed birds in natural habitats to highlight their behaviour and environment.

Style and Techniques

Keulemans mainly worked in lithography, a printmaking process that allowed for mass production of his artwork while maintaining high-quality detail. He was known for his ability to bring a bird’s plumage and colour to life on paper, despite the limitations of the printing techniques of the time. His method involved working with specimens, either from museums or from field collections, to create scientifically accurate and dynamic illustrations.

Personal Life

Keulemans lived in England for much of his life and married in 1871. He fathered 11 children, though only six survived into adulthood. Despite his immense output and contributions to science, Keulemans often struggled financially, a common challenge for many illustrators of his era.

Legacy

John Gerrard Keulemans passed away on March 29, 1912, in Ilford, Essex, England. His legacy is firmly cemented in the world of ornithological illustration. His works continue to be highly regarded for their scientific value and artistic beauty. Many of his original illustrations are held in museums and private collections, and his detailed depictions are still referenced by ornithologists and bird enthusiasts today.

Keulemans’ work represents an important bridge between the art of the natural world and scientific inquiry, providing invaluable insight into bird species from around the world during a period when photography was still in its infancy. His illustrations remain among the finest examples of ornithological art.

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