Bring the delicate elegance, soft rosy hues, and historic scientific precision of 19th-century British ornithology into your living space with this exceptional fine art poster. Created by legendary ornithologist John Gould and artist William Matthew Hart for Gould’s monumental folio A Monograph of the Trogonidae, or Family of Trogons, this exquisite plate depicts a trio of Variegated / Purple-breasted Trogons (Trogon variegatus).

Perched at varied angles along a slender flowering branch, the trogons showcase soft rose-pink breasts, iridescent emerald-and-violet backs, barred undertail feathering, and bright yellow beaks and eye-rings. Meticulously restored to preserve its fine lithographic line work against a naturally aged cream paper backdrop, this print is anchored by authentic copperplate captions reading “TROGON VARIEGATUS, Spix”, “J. Gould & W. Hart, del. et lith.”, and “Walter Imp.”.

The History: John Gould (1804–1881), often called “The Audubon of Great Britain,” was a visionary naturalist, publisher, and bird artist who produced over 3,000 hand-colored lithographic plates during his prolific career. His masterpiece on Central and South American trogons, A Monograph of the Trogonidae (first published in 1835 and expanded in 1875), stands as one of the most celebrated family-specific bird studies ever undertaken. Working alongside master illustrator William Matthew Hart and London printer Walter, Gould captured the vibrant plumage of trogons in lifelike social groups set against native tropical foliage. Today, original hand-colored lithographs from Gould’s folios are preserved in premier museum archives, including the Natural History Museum in London, the Smithsonian Institution, and the Royal Collection.

The Aesthetic: A masterclass in vertical balance, multi-view morphological study, and subtle color harmony, this artwork highlights three distinct perspectives of the trogon species. Gould and Hart contrast the soft coral-pink undertones of the birds’ bellies against deep navy, slate, and olive-green feathering. Bright yellow bill accents draw the eye to each bird’s face, while delicate pink blossom clusters and soft green leaves provide an organic, grounding backdrop. Set against an open cream paper base, this high-impact poster introduces an air of Victorian neoclassicism, natural wonder, and biophilic warmth to any room.

It is an ideal statement piece for:

Birdwatchers, tropical wildlife lovers, ornithologists, art historians, and collectors of antique British natural history lithographs.
Sun-drenched living rooms, private libraries, quiet home offices, bedrooms, entryways, or as an inspiring anchor on a botanical gallery wall.
Biophilic, Japandi, modern farmhouse, French provincial, dark academia, or transitional interior design styles that value soft natural tones and historic fine art.

Product Details

Artist: John Gould (British, 1804–1881) & William Matthew Hart (British, 1830–1908)
Printer / Publisher: Walter Imp. (London, England)
Title: Trogon Variegatus (A Monograph of the Trogonidae, or Family of Trogons)
Subject: Antique British Natural History Lithograph & South American Trogon Study
Original Year: c. 1875
Style: 19th-Century British Natural History / Vintage Ornithological Fine Art

Museum-Quality Vintage Prints

Our vintage posters are made to order using premium Giclée printing techniques. Every piece is printed on thick, heavyweight fine art paper (200gsm) with a smooth, completely matte finish.

We specifically source an acid-free, natural-toned paper that perfectly recreates the warmth and authentic character of original mid-century lithographs. Unlike standard glossy posters, our premium matte finish ensures there is zero glare when your artwork is framed behind glass, resulting in a rich, museum-quality display. Combined with long-lasting, UV-resistant pigment inks, your print is designed to remain vibrant for generations.