Green Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus) — after Charles Dessalines d’Orbigny (1806–1876)
A flash of rainforest emerald, frozen in perfect poise. This 19th-century natural-history plate—attributed to C. D. d’Orbigny—renders the magnificent Green Birdwing with jewelled clarity: satin-black margins, electric green panels, and a sculptural abdomen. Scientific, elegant, and joyfully decorative, it’s a showpiece for studios, living rooms, and coastal homes alike.
Why it captivates
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Natural-history glamour — a rare beauty from the world’s largest butterfly genus.
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Vivid palette — saturated greens and deep blacks that sing on the wall.
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Scholarly finesse — clean plate marks and period labels reward close viewing.
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Versatile styling — works solo or paired with other flora/fauna prints.
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Conversation piece — art, science, and travel romance in one.
What you’ll see
An exquisitely illustrated birdwing spread in dorsal view: bold emerald forewings edged in black; velvety hindwings with luminous panels; finely drawn antennae, thorax, and abdomen. Discreet captions and plate notations complete the classical field-guide look—order, colour, and clarity on one graceful sheet.
A richer historical frame
Through the mid-1800s, Paris’s great publishers united field observation with master engravers to create atlases that educated and enchanted. Associated with Charles Dessalines d’Orbigny, plates like this bridged taxonomy and art, capturing exotic species for a Europe newly obsessed with collecting and classification. The Green Birdwing—native to Australasian rainforests—was a star of that era’s cabinets and salons.
Choose your finish
🌟 Heavyweight Paper (160 gsm matte)
Archival-grade, smooth matte stock ideal for framing under glass. Crisp linework, minimal glare.
💎 Laminated (True Encapsulation)
Sealed in 2 × 80-micron gloss laminate, edge-to-edge. Durable, wipe-clean—great for kitchens and studios.
🪵 Laminated + Timber Hang Rails (Ready to hang)
Lacquered natural timber rails with fitted hanging cord; no frame required.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
🏆 Archival Canvas (395 gsm HP Professional Matte)
Museum-quality texture with pigment-based, fade-resistant inks for rich colour and fine detail.
🪵 Canvas + Timber Hang Rails (Gallery-ready)
As above, supplied with lacquered natural timber rails and hanging cord.
Please allow up to 10 working days for hang-railed delivery.
Size (W × H)
841 × 524 mm (approx. 33.11 × 20.63 in)
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Orientation: Landscape
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Aspect ratio: ~1.605 : 1
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Nearest standard frame: 70 × 100 cm (landscape) with a custom mat window cut to ~837 × 520 mm (2–3 mm overlap).
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Framing tips:
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Classic: warm off-white mat, slim black or walnut moulding.
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Contemporary: float-mount in a 70 × 100 cm or A0 frame for generous negative space.
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Custom sizing: Available on request (alternative aspect ratios or added white border).
Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Green Birdwing (Ornithoptera priamus) |
| Artist/Attribution | after Charles Dessalines d’Orbigny (1806–1876) |
| Date | 19th century |
| Historical Context | French natural-history atlas tradition; Australasian lepidoptera |
| Print Size | 841 mm (W) × 524 mm (H) |
| Available Finishes | Paper, Laminated, Laminated + Timber Hang Rails, Canvas, Canvas + Timber Hang Rails |
| Paper Weight | 160 gsm archival matte |
| Laminate | 2 × 80-micron gloss (true encapsulation) |
| Canvas Weight | 395 gsm HP Professional Matte Canvas |
| Inks | Pigment-based, fade-resistant |
| Optional Hang Rails | Natural timber, lacquered; fitted hanging cord (allow up to 10 working days) |
| Origin | Printed in Australia |
Who it’s for
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Design lovers chasing bold colour with classical restraint
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Natural-history collectors and coastal stylists
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Educators & students of entomology and illustration
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Gift-givers seeking a bright, timeless statement
Our Commitment
Every print is produced locally in Australia on premium substrates with careful colour management, then checked and packed by hand so it arrives ready to impress. From studio to wall, we stand behind the craftsmanship and historical integrity of your piece.
Let a splash of rainforest emerald lift your space—order your Green Birdwing print today.
