African tern
18th century
François Levaillant, a flamboyant French explorer and ornithologist, brought this vibrant African starling to life in the late 18th century. Known for his adventurous (and sometimes exaggerated) tales of African expeditions, Levaillant commissioned artists to paint birds from his extensive collection of specimens. The iridescent blues and greens of this 'Etourneau d’afrique' shimmer on the page, showcasing the meticulous hand-coloring typical of his famous natural history books. It’s a beautiful snapshot of an era when science and art were deeply intertwined, capturing the exotic beauty of the natural world for European audiences.
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