Museum Collections
Luce Center
Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris), Havell plate no. 47
Object Number:
1863.17.47
Date:
c. 1825
Medium:
Watercolor, gold- and copper-colored metallic pigments, gouache, red lead pigment, graphite, and black ink with touches of pastel and selective glazing on paper, laid on card
Dimensions:
Paper: 23 13/16 x 18 13/16 in. (60.5 x 47.8 cm)
Mat: 35 x 27 in. (88.9 x 68.6 cm)
Marks:
Watermark: TURKEY MILLS / JWHATMAN
Inscriptions:
Inscribed at lower center in brown ink: "Ruby throated Humming-bird. -- Males 1. [2.3.4. crossed out] F.2 [5.6.crossed out] 9. Young 3. [above 8. crossed out] [9.10. crossed out] -- / Trochilus Colubris / Plant. Bignonia radicans / Vulgo Trumpet flower.---"; at lower left[over erased graphite]: "No 10. Plate 47.--"; at lower right in graphite[erased]: "T...na radicans"; at middle right in graphite[erased]: "Honey birds / of...[Carolina?]"; at upper right corner in graphite: "47"; birds numbered and identified in graphite from upper center: "1"; "2"; "1"; "3 / Female Young"; "3"; "3"; "1"; "3"; "1" ; "2"; erased inscriptions in lower register
Description:
Males have red or dark throats; females and immatures are essentially indistinguishable from one another
Gallery Label:
The background flora has been identified as Trumpet-flower or Trumpet-creeper (Campsis radicans).
Credit Line:
Purchased for the Society by public subscription from Mrs. John J. Audubon
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.