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Argus Pheasant
Public domain

Argus Pheasant

Pieter Pietersz. Barbiers · c. 1780 - c. 1842 · brush; paper; pencil; watercolor (paint)

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

In recording this argus pheasant, Pieter Barbiers focused on the faithful depiction of its plumage. The countless dots and round spots on the tail and wing feathers are called Argus eyes, a reference (like the bird’s name itself) to the hundred-eyed giant Argus in Greek mythology. According to the classical myth, the giant’s eyes were forever preserved in the similar pattern on a peacock’s tail.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineArgus Pheasant. c. 1780 - c. 1842. Pieter Pietersz. Barbiers. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

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