Promerops (1835-1839)

Dated 1835-1839, "Promerops" is an artwork by William MacGillivray. Historical background, 1835-1839: Landscape gained new prestige through groups such as the Barbizon painters in France and the Hudson River School in the United States, and by mid-century Realism turned to ordinary people and everyday labour. The invention of lithography around 1796 and its spread in these decades made printed images cheaper and more varied. It is listed in the Plants & Animals collection. The image is in portrait orientation. Background on Plants & Animals: Images of plants and animals are valued both for the care of their observation and for their decorative appeal. Images of plants and animals run from medieval herbals and bestiaries to the scientific illustration of the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries.

Everything for "Promerops" arrives digitally: Digital JPEG + PDF files, 300 DPI. Once payment is confirmed, an email brings the download link, and from there you decide how to print it, whether at home, at a print shop, or through an online service. A portrait format suits narrow wall spaces, hallways, and the area beside a door or window. Matching the frame to the image proportions avoids cropping. Hang the print away from direct sunlight, which over the years can fade any printed colour. Choosing a standard frame size and printing to fit it often saves the cost of custom framing. Screens and printers render colour differently, so a small test print is a sensible way to check tones before committing to a large size.

Scottish, 1796–1852

If you like the visual language of William MacGillivray, explore more works by the same artist in our collection.