Exotic Parrots from the 18th Century: Hand-Colored Engraving by Robert Benard

This beautiful hand-colored engraving is a work by Robert Benard (1734-1786), published around 1790, and was part of the *Encyclopédie Méthodique*, a monumental work of the Enlightenment period. The engraving is a study of exotic parrots, showcasing fine details with the scientific curiosity of the time. Each bird is numbered and named in French, revealing their interest as species from various regions of the world. Birds Depicted (Translation and Descriptions): 1. Fig. 1: Le Kakatave des Philippines (Philippine Cockatoo): - The bird depicted is a cockatoo, likely from the Philippines. With its bright crest and detailed plumage, it captures the exotic and vibrant appearance of this bird, which is known for its intelligence and striking beauty. The Philippine cockatoo (*Cacatua haematuropygia*), also known as the Red-vented Cockatoo, is now critically endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade. 2. Fig. 2: Le Vasa (Greater Vasa Parrot): - This parrot, known as the Vasa parrot (*Coracopsis vasa*), is native to Madagascar. It is unique in the parrot world for its unusual molting patterns, where the female's feathers change color during the breeding season. It inhabits lowland forests and woodland savannas in Madagascar and surrounding islands. 3. Fig. 3: Le Perroquet Maillé (Lined Parrot or Hawk-headed Parrot): - The bird here could be referencing the Hawk-headed Parrot (*Deroptyus accipitrinus*), native to the Amazon basin. This bird is famous for its ability to spread its feathers into a fan around its head, giving it a striking appearance. It inhabits tropical rainforests in countries like Brazil, Peru, and Venezuela. 4. Fig. 4: Le Lori de la Chine (Lory from China): - This refers to a lory or lorikeet species, which are nectar-feeding parrots. While it mentions "China," lories are typically from Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and northern Australia. The bird may belong to the genus *Trichoglossus*, known for their bright, colorful plumage and specialized brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar. Current Habitat and Conservation Status: - Philippine Cockatoo: Now critically endangered, found in diminishing pockets of mangrove forests and lowland primary forests in the Philippines. - Vasa Parrot: Endemic to Madagascar, its habitat includes a variety of woodland, forest, and savannah regions. - Hawk-headed Parrot: Native to the Amazon basin's tropical rainforests, it is not currently considered endangered but faces habitat challenges. - Lory Species: Generally native to the Australasian region, their habitats range from tropical forests to woodlands. Some species are under threat due to habitat destruction and illegal pet trade. Printmaking Technique: The technique used in this engraving is copperplate engraving, a method where a design is incised into a copper plate, and ink is applied to these incisions. The surface is wiped clean, leaving ink only in the engraved lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The hand-coloring was done post-printing, using watercolors to highlight the birds' exotic features, which would have made them especially appealing to an 18th-century European audience fascinated by the natural world. The prints like these were essential in disseminating knowledge during the Age of Enlightenment. The meticulous detail, combined with hand-coloring, allows viewers to appreciate the beauty and diversity of bird species from around the world, many of which were entirely unfamiliar to European audiences at the time.