198 Edward Lear, The Parrots

Brilliant Plumage, Exquisite Technique

An unsurpassed monument in the history of scientific illustration

Edward Lear may be best known for his nonsense verse, but in his early years he excelled as an
illustrator of birds and reptiles. This set of 42 hand-colored lithographs, originally entitled
Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots, was the finest achievement of his relatively brief
career as a natural history draftsman, before failing eyesight led him to concentrate on his writing.

During Lear's time, live parrots were rare and much sought-after, bought and sold for large sums by
wealthy amateurs of natural history, and prized by 19th century European aristocracy for their
astonishing plumage and mimickry of the human voice. Naturally, fine drawings of them were also
highly prized. One of the first collections entirely dedicated to the species, Parrots includes African,
Australian, and American parrots bred by eminent ornithologists such as Sir William Jardine and
Prideaux John Selby, who sponsored Lear, inspiring and directing his work. Unlike other avian
illustrators who often worked with stuffed birds, the young and prodigiously talented Lear
(1812–1888) made his drawings from live parrots, capturing their expressions and movements in
remarkably lifelike illustrations. The new medium of hand-colored lithography facilitated the vivid
elegance of Lear's work.

This exquisite collection was originally reproduced in only 175 precious sets and sold by
subscription to Britain's most eminent scholars and wealthy collectors of living parrots. The
Psittacidae established Lear as a celebrated illustrator, and professor of drawing to the young Queen
Victoria. With a brief zoological introduction and written descriptions of each bird, TASCHEN's
perfect reprint brings Lear's parrots back to life for all to admire.