Psittacus aurantius Illicium floridanum From Cimelia physica: Figures of rare and curious quadrupeds, birds, &c. together with several of the most elegant plants. Engraved and coloured from the subjects themselves by John Frederick Miller. With descriptions by George Shaw, M.D. F.R.S. &c. &c. &c.
Circa 1796. Hand-coloured copperplate engraving. Some spotting and foxing at edges, otherwise a very good copy with intense colour. Psittacus aurantius, Illicium floridanum, a hand-coloured copperplate engraving by artist John Frederick Miller, depicts a magnificent Yellow-breasted Lorikeet nestled among the leaves of the Florida Anise Tree. The plate is from Cimelia physica: Figures of rare and curious quadrupeds, birds, &c., a collection of engravings published that were created and coloured from life by Miller, with accompanying descriptions written by George Shaw.
Miller was the son of artist John Sebastian Miller. He was known for paintings he created from sketches of wildlife made by Sydney Parkinson on James Cook's first voyage. He later accompanied Joseph Banks on an expedition to Iceland in 1772. Psittacus is one of 60 images Miller produced and published in an earlier edition of works that is now very rare; these images were later compiled in 1796 into a new edition with text by George Shaw, titled Cimelia physica. Item #4873
Price (AUD): $750.00