From the moment Europeans were introduced to the birds of
paradise in the early sixteenth century, their unique beauty was
recognized and commemorated in the first name that they were given
- birds so beautiful they must be from paradise. Originally they
were thought not to have legs and therefore never to land. Still
very rarely encountered, even in their natural habitat of New
Guinea, they are still birds that elicit sheer awe in those who are
lucky enough to see them. Drawn From Paradise will showcase the
magnificence and beauty of the birds of paradise as they have never
before been seen, with more than two-hundred hand-painted images
and sketches by the men who originally studied them and luminary
artists such as Jacques Barraband, William Hart, John Gould, Rubens
and Breughel, to name a few. The art comes from the private
collections of the two authors and has been rarely if ever
published. Not only will the book feature the beautiful Greater
Bird of Paradise-a bird that was originally believed to have been
sent from Paradise, and was thought to never touch the earth-but it
will also present more than forty other distinct species currently
recognized-each representing amazing differences in size, shape,
and color patterning.
The introduction provides a brief history into the discovery of
these illustrious birds, from how they were originally perceived
and idolized by the natives of New Guinea, to the arrival of
Europeans, who were immediately captivated by their bright, vibrant
colors. The chapters are ordered according to the sequence in which
the birds representing the various genera made their appearance in
Europe (thereby highlighting the books educational aspect). Within
its pages, readers will catch a glimpse of these birds through
vivid, highly-detailed painting, as well as learn more about each
individual bird and genus-comparisons and contrasts between the
males and females, as well as between the different genus's.
A tour through art and history, with a good deal of ornithology
thrown in, Drawn From Paradise is not only a must-have for
ornithologists and bird-watchers, but also a beautiful collectible
for students, artists, and aesthetes. Its central idea is to
showcase the breathtaking beauty of these birds and the enormous
interest that still surrounds them even today.
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