JOHN GOULD (1804–1881) — DENDROLAGUS INUSTUS

Brown / Grizzled Tree-Kangaroo
Facsimile of the 19th-Century Gould & Richter Zoological Lithograph
Framed — 52 × 34 cm
John Gould & H. C. Richter
An Australian Natural-History Classic
Artwork Details
Title: Dendrolagus Inustus
Subject: Brown / Grizzled Tree-Kangaroo
Original work: c.1845–63, published 1863
Original medium: Hand-coloured lithograph
This example: Facsimile lithographic print
Dimensions: 52 × 34 cm
Presentation: Matted and framed in a contemporary natural timber frame
Condition: Presents attractively as shown

An attractive framed facsimile of Dendrolagus inustus, one of the celebrated zoological illustrations associated with the great British naturalist and publisher John Gould (1804–1881).

The work depicts the Brown or Grizzled Tree-Kangaroo perched upon a tree branch and surrounded by delicately rendered foliage.

The restrained natural colouring, fine anatomical observation and elegant composition are characteristic of the zoological plates produced for Gould's monumental natural-history publications.

The original Dendrolagus inustus plate was produced for John Gould's The Mammals of Australia.

Museum records identify John Gould and Henry Constantine Richter (1821–1902) as collaborating artists, with the original work executed as a hand-coloured lithograph. QAGOMA dates the work to 1845–63, published 1863.

Richter was responsible for translating many of Gould's zoological studies into the finished lithographic plates for publication.

Although associated with Gould's monumental study of Australian mammals, Dendrolagus inustus represents a tree-kangaroo native to New Guinea. A specialist description of the original plate records Gould's account of the animal being discovered at Triton Bay, New Guinea.

The original period lithographs are now represented in institutional collections, including the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art.

After: John Gould (1804–1881) & H. C. Richter (1821–1902)