Northern Puffin – Fratercula glacialis – 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 001867

Northern Puffin: A Brief Description

The northern puffin, more accurately referred to as the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica), is one of the most well-known and charismatic seabirds. The scientific name Fratercula glacialis was an older reference, but the bird is now consistently classified as Fratercula arctica. Below is a detailed description of this species:

Appearance:

• Size: The Atlantic puffin is a small seabird, measuring about 28–30 cm in length, with a wingspan of 47–63 cm. It typically weighs between 320 and 480 grams.
• Plumage: Puffins have black upperparts and white underparts, giving them a penguin-like appearance. Their face is pale grey, and they sport a distinctive, brightly coloured bill that is large and triangular, with orange, yellow, and blue markings during the breeding season. The bill becomes duller outside of the breeding season. Their legs and feet are bright orange, adding to their colourful, distinctive appearance.
• Facial Features: Puffins have expressive eyes and a characteristic white “face mask,” which, combined with their colourful bill and stocky build, make them unmistakable.

Habitat:

• Breeding Habitat: Atlantic puffins breed in colonies on coastal cliffs and offshore islands across the North Atlantic Ocean. Major breeding sites include the coasts of Iceland, Norway, the Faroe Islands, and parts of the UK (particularly Scotland and Wales). They nest in burrows dug into the soil or in rocky crevices, sometimes sharing colonies with other seabirds.
• Winter Habitat: During the non-breeding season, puffins spend their time at sea, far from land, in the cold waters of the North Atlantic. They are excellent swimmers and dive to catch fish, which sustains them through the winter months.

Behaviour:

• Diet: Atlantic puffins feed primarily on small fish such as sand eels, herring, and capelin. They are expert divers, using their wings to “fly” underwater while catching fish. Puffins can carry multiple fish in their beak at once due to the unique structure of their beak, which allows them to hold several fish crosswise while continuing to hunt for more.
• Breeding: Puffins form long-term pair bonds, and breeding typically occurs between May and August. Each pair returns to the same burrow or nesting site year after year. The female lays a single egg, which both parents incubate for about 36–45 days. After hatching, the chick (called a puffling) is fed by both parents until it fledges and heads out to sea, usually after 40–50 days.
• Social Structure: Puffins are highly social birds, gathering in large, noisy colonies during the breeding season. Outside the breeding season, however, they are solitary and spend most of their time at sea.

Flight and Swimming:

• Flight: Despite their short wings, puffins are strong and fast flyers, capable of speeds up to 88 km/h (55 mph). To stay airborne, they flap their wings rapidly, often appearing to fly with great effort. They fly low over the water and are capable of long-distance travel during migration.
• Swimming: Puffins are exceptional swimmers, using their wings to propel themselves underwater in pursuit of fish. Their short, stocky build is perfectly suited for their diving lifestyle.

Migration:

After the breeding season, Atlantic puffins migrate out to the open sea, where they spend the winter months. Their migratory patterns are not fully understood, but they are known to travel thousands of kilometres, remaining far from land for most of the year. Some populations migrate southwards toward the warmer waters of the North Atlantic, while others stay in northern waters near the ice edge.

Conservation Status:

The Atlantic puffin is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to population declines, especially in parts of Europe. Major threats to puffins include:

• Climate Change: Rising sea temperatures have affected fish populations, particularly sand eels, which are a key food source for puffins. Changes in fish availability can lead to poor breeding success.
• Overfishing: Commercial fishing competes with puffins for their primary food sources, further impacting their ability to feed chicks.
• Pollution: Oil spills and plastic pollution pose significant threats to seabirds like puffins, both through direct harm and by affecting the marine ecosystem.
• Introduced Predators: In some areas, introduced predators like rats and cats can devastate puffin colonies by preying on eggs and chicks.

Conservation Efforts:

Conservation measures include protecting breeding colonies, managing fisheries, and monitoring populations closely. In some regions, puffin populations have stabilized or recovered thanks to habitat protection and restoration efforts. Breeding colonies in places like Iceland and the Faroe Islands remain strong, though conservationists continue to monitor long-term trends carefully.

Cultural Significance:

• Puffins are beloved by people around the world, especially in areas where they breed. Their charming appearance and unique behaviour make them a favourite among birdwatchers and tourists.
• Iceland, home to the largest population of puffins, celebrates the bird as a national icon. Some puffin colonies in the UK and other countries are also popular tourist attractions.

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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