Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Jacques Barraband died in 1809; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1879.
In context
Orange jay — Jacques Barraband
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 42 at death.
Shaded: the lifetime of Jacques Barraband (1767–1809) every dated painting, decade by decade
This record has no exact year on file — using the artist's lifetime and the work's style, what decade would you guess?
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: artsdot.com/en/art/similar/jacques-barraband-orange-jay-9HTQ8J-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Celadon #c1d0d1
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 90.1% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 107 works by this artist, of which 21 were looked at at least once. This painting has not been looked at yet in that time — it closes the list without a rank. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Aubusson, France
Jacques Barraband, a name perhaps unfamiliar to many yet synonymous with breathtaking accuracy in the depiction of avian life, flourished during a pivotal period in natural history illustration. Born in Aubusson, France, around 1767 or 1768 – records indicate his baptism on August 31st, 1768 – Barraband’s artistic journey began not amidst scientific fervor but within the established tradition of tapestry weaving. His father, a craftsman at the renowned Aubusson factory, instilled in him an early appreciation for meticulous detail and vibrant color, skills that would later define his legacy. Though briefly engaged in the family trade after initial studies at the local school – an institution celebrated for nurturing talents like Francis Roby de Faureix and Etienne de la Seiglière de la Cour – Barraband’s ambition led him to Paris, seeking broader artistic horizons. There, he honed his skills at tapestry and carpet stores along Rue de la Huchette while formally studying painting under Joseph-Laurent Malaine at the prestigious Académie Royale de Peinture.
Barraband’s early Parisian career saw him contributing designs for established manufacturers like Gobelins and Savonnerie, as well as porcelain houses such as Dihl and Gerhard. However, it was his foray into scientific illustration that truly ignited his passion and cemented his reputation. He undertook commissions to illustrate insects for the French naturalist Sonnini and contributed to a book on Egypt by Fournier, demonstrating an adaptability and precision that caught the eye of discerning patrons. The turning point arrived between 1801 and 1804 when he received direct commissions from none other than Napoleon Bonaparte himself. This patronage propelled Barraband into a realm dedicated to capturing the exotic beauty of birds and flowers, a pursuit that would consume his most productive years. He wasn’t merely copying specimens; he was reviving them on paper with an unparalleled sense of life. His pictures were based on mounted specimens, allowing for incredibly detailed study, and quickly became known as the most accurate renderings of tropical birds produced during the early 19th century.
Napoleon I’s vision was ambitious: to document the natural wonders encountered through French exploration and expansion. Barraband rose to meet this challenge, creating a series of exquisite watercolors that showcased the vibrant plumage and unique characteristics of birds from distant lands. He is particularly celebrated for his illustrations accompanying François Le Vaillant's scientific studies – specifically his depictions of parrots (perroquets), birds of paradise (oiseaux de paradis), rollers (rolliers), toucans (toucans), barbets (barbus), sugarbirds (promerops), bee-eaters (guêpiers), trogons (couroucous), and turacos (touracos)). Barraband’s style wasn't simply about scientific accuracy; it was infused with an artistic sensibility. He possessed a remarkable ability to capture not just the form of the birds, but their very essence – their posture, their gaze, even a hint of personality. His watercolors are characterized by luminous backgrounds, delicate shading, and a masterful use of color that brings each subject vividly to life. The influence of his earlier tapestry work is evident in the richness and texture of his paintings, while his academic training provided him with the anatomical understanding necessary for such precise depictions.
Jacques Barraband’s impact extends beyond the sheer beauty of his artwork. He played a crucial role in popularizing knowledge about exotic bird species during a period when scientific exploration was rapidly expanding. His illustrations weren't just valuable to ornithologists; they captivated the public imagination, offering glimpses into faraway lands and fostering an appreciation for the natural world. He also contributed to the decorative arts, notably being commissioned by Napoleon I to decorate the banquet-hall at St. Cloud – a testament to his artistic versatility. Barraband’s dedication to teaching further solidified his influence; he held a professorship at the School of Arts et Métiers in Lyon. One notable student was Pauline Rifer de Courcelles, who later married artist Joseph August Knip and went on to illustrate Histoire naturelle de tangaras, des manakins et des todiers by Anselme-Gaetan Desmarest (1805), continuing the tradition of meticulous bird illustration. Though his life was tragically cut short on October 1st, 1809, in Lyon, Jacques Barraband left behind a body of work that continues to inspire awe and admiration – a lasting tribute to a master of feather and bloom whose paintings remain a vital link to the golden age of natural history art.
artsdot.com/en/art/download/jacques-barraband-orange-jay-9HTQ8J-en/
Look closely
Orange jay — Jacques Barraband
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
In "Orange jay" by Jacques Barraband, the Naturalism movement meets the Early-Modern era.
A print of "Orange jay" by Jacques Barraband can be ordered directly on its Fine Art Print page: a fine art print on cotton canvas or archival canvas paper.
Jacques Barraband's recurring themes include 19th century ornithology, scientific illustration", detailed naturalism, taxidermy aesthetic, early scientific observation, barraband's signature style"; "Orange jay" focuses on bird art, ornithology, tanager, wildlife, illustration, 19th century, natural history, botanical.