Nature as seen through Gould’s eyes

In this section, examples of Gould's works are presented in chronological order, showing how the drawing techniques developed as Gould matured. The artists employed in the illustrations differ in each period, and because of developments in the lithographic and colouring processes, at first glance the later works seem to be the more beautiful. However, it can be said that Gould's illustrations for each of his works represent the highest standards of such works in the time of their respective publication dates. It is because each illustration is a realisation of Gould's vision of Nature that these plates continue to fascinate, more than 100 years after their publication.

It would be biased to emphasise only the beauty of his illustrations when assessing Gould's achievements, since he also published many written works, as well as a large number of scholarly treatises. His books were the accumulation of such treatises, and there are many birds which have entered the public knowledge through his works. Gould's greatness lies in his scholarly achievements as well as his illustrations.

  • Gould Scientific name
    Buceros cavatus
    Scientific name
    Buceros bicornis
    Gould name (en)
    Name (en)
    Great Hornbill
    Book name, Volume
    A Century of Birds from the Himalaya Mountains Vol.1
  • Gould Scientific name
    Bubo maximus
    Scientific name
    Bubo bubo
    Gould name (en)
    Great Horned (Eagle Owl)
    Name (en)
    Eurasian Eagle-Owl
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of Europe Vol.1
  • Gould Scientific name
    Ramphastos cuvieri
    Scientific name
    Ramphastos tucanus
    Gould name (en)
    Cuvier's Toucan
    Name (en)
    White-throated Toucan
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Ramphastidae,or Family of Toucans Vol.1
  • Gould Scientific name
    Harpactes diardi
    Scientific name
    Harpactes diardii
    Gould name (en)
    Diard's Trogon
    Name (en)
    Diard's Trogon
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of Asia Vol.1
  • Gould Scientific name
    Cygnus atratus
    Scientific name
    Cygnus atratus
    Gould name (en)
    Black Swan
    Name (en)
    Black Swan
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of Australia Vol.7
  • Gould Scientific name
    Cyrtonyx ocellatus
    Scientific name
    Cyrtonyx ocellatus
    Gould name (en)
    Ocellated Partridge
    Name (en)
    Ocellated Quail
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Odontophorinae,or Partridges of America Vol.1
  • Gould Scientific name
    Eulampis jugularis
    Scientific name
    Eulampis jugularis
    Gould name (en)
    Purple-breasted Carib
    Name (en)
    Purple-throated Carib
    Book name, Volume
    A Monograph of the Trochilidae,or Family of Humming-birds Vol.2
  • Gould Scientific name
    Urocissa occipitalis
    Scientific name
    Urocissa erythrorhyncha
    Gould name (en)
    Nepaulese Blue Pie
    Name (en)
    Red-billed Blue Magpie
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of Asia Vol.5
  • Gould Scientific name
    Graucalus axillaris
    Scientific name
    Coracina lineata
    Gould name (en)
    Bruijn's Cuckoo-Shrike
    Name (en)
    Barred Cuckooshrike
    Book name, Volume
    The Birds of New Guinea and the adjacent Papuan Islands including many new species recently discovered in Australia Vol.2