Every sky with its varied tints and every feather of each…
“Every sky with its varied tints and every feather of each bird were coloured by hand; and when it is considered that nearly two hundred and eighty thousand illustrations in the present work have been so treated, it will most likely cause some astonishment to those who give the subject a thought.”
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The extensive hand‑colored illustrations demonstrate the massive effort and artistry involved, which may surprise those who consider the work superficially.
In simple terms: The illustrations were painstakingly hand‑colored, showing great effort.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the labor behind detailed work.
Themes
art
craftsmanship
detail
history
science
Mood
awe
curiosity
respect
Type
descriptive
historical
educational
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- academic research
- art restoration
- educational displays
- collecting
Key Concepts
Illustration
hand‑coloring
visual documentation
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this effort tell us about value?
- How might modern techniques change perception?
A Different Perspective
The process is time‑consuming and may limit reproducibility.