Bird, Von Wright Magnus, Tringa Glareola Wood Sandpiper , Sweden, c1917 - 1929

Date: c1917-1929

Artist: Von Wright Magnus

Publisher: Bortzellsa and Co

Paper Size: 270 x 375mm

Image size:165 x 215mm

Condition: very good

Technique: Chromolithograph

Price: $150

Description: Chromolithograph original old antique print originates from: 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Magnus von Wright, published in 1917-1929, printed by A. Bortzells, Stockholm.

(The first edition appeared between 1828 and 1837).

The lithography on these plates is exquiste and very difficult to distinguish from hand-painting. Artists and Engravers: Magnus von Wright (1805 - 68) was the first taxidermist working with the vertebrate collections of Helsinki University. Starting out as a taxidermist in the 1820's, he stuffed birds for Societas pro Flora et Fauna Fennica, the oldest scientific society in Finland, and in 1845, became taxidermist at the university's zoological museum. Von Wright made several study journeys to Stockholm and St. Petersburg, and even wrote a short manual on how mount birds. Though a skilful taxidermist, his reputation, like that of his two brothers, Wilhelm and Ferdinand, rests on his skill as a zoological illustrator. In 1859 he published the first handbook on Finnish birds.

Biography:

Magnus Von Wright

Swedish Finnish

Magnus von Wright was born at the village of Haminalahti in Kuopio, Finland. His ancestors included Scottish merchants who had settled in Narva during the 17th-Century. His father Henrik Magnus von Wright was a retired Major who owned the family estate, Haminalahden. Two of his brothers, Wilhelm Von Wright (1805–1868) and Ferdinand von Wright (1822- 1906) also became painters and illustrators. Wilhelm travelled to Sweden in 1823, where he participated in producing the multi-volume Svenska Fåglar (Stockholm: C. von Scheele. 1828) for Swedish ornithologist Nils Bonde

After his wife's death in 1884, he suffered a serious decline and died early at Orust in 1887