Image Licensing : Sylvicola Aureola K030081
Add to Lightbox
Image Downloads From Historic England
Sylvicola Aureola K030081
DOWN HOUSE, Kent. Coloured engraving of two finches " Sylvicola Aureola" from " The Zoology of the Voyage of HMS Beagle, Part III Birds". Plate XXVIII. Edited by Charles Darwin. Historic England is the public body that champions and protects England's historic places. © Historic England
Media ID 1330720
Filename: K030081.jpg
Size: 3931 x 4621 (20.8MB)
Date: 29th October 2008
Source: Historic England
Credit: Historic England Photo Library
Source: English Heritage Images
Bird Darwin Engraving Illustration
SECURE PAYMENTS
We accept all major payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
Made in USA
Safe Shipping, Easy Returns
FREE PERSONALISATION
We are proud to offer a range of customisation including Cropping, Captions, and Filters. Zoom Cropping can be adjusted in the basket
EDITORS COMMENTS
This engraving, titled "Sylvicola Aureola" or the Golden-crowned Sylph, is taken from Plate XXVIII of "The Zoology of the Voyage of HMS Beagle, Part III Birds," edited by the renowned naturalist Charles Darwin. The image was produced in the mid-19th century and is part of the extensive collection held by Historic England Photo Library. The engraving depicts two finches, likely the Golden-crowned Sparrows (Zonotrichia auricapilla), which were among the many bird species that caught Darwin's attention during the HMS Beagle's voyage around the world from 1831 to 1836. The intricate details of their plumage and the delicate shading in the engraving are a testament to the meticulous work of the skilled engraver. The image captures the birds in their natural habitat, Down House in Kent, England. Down House was Darwin's family home from 1842 until his death in 1882. It was here that he wrote some of his most groundbreaking works, including "On the Origin of Species," which revolutionized the scientific understanding of evolution. The presence of these finches in Darwin's backyard would have provided him with valuable observations, contributing to his development of the theory of natural selection. The engraving serves as a visual reminder of the significant role that birds, and the natural world more broadly, played in Darwin's scientific discoveries.
