“Compilation of the first depictions of dodos (Raphus cucullatus) on the island Mauritius (Indian Ocean), made during the voyage of the VOC Gelderland in 1602. The caption says “These birds are caught on the island of Mauritius in large quantities because they are unable to fly. They are good food and often have stones in their stomachs, as big as eggs, sometimes bigger or smaller, and are called ‘griffeendt’ or ‘Kermis goose’.” (Fuller, Errol: Dodo – From Extinction To Icon, 2002)”

“Dodo specialist Julian Hume argued that the nostrils of the living dodo would have been slits, as seen in the Gelderland, Cornelis Saftleven, Savery’s Crocker Art Gallery, and Ustad Mansur images. “

via Dr Nick Crumpton

 

Also in observation:

• “Pro painting techniques from John Singer Sargent, in a letter to Ben del Castillo, in reference to the painting Madame X, which was incredibly difficult to complete, mostly due to the restless and spoiled subject.”
• Astronomical illustrations from Astronomy, 1875, by J. Rambosson
• The Corps of Discovery carried out this order with all due diligence. Not only did Captains Lewis and Clark keep notebooks on their observations, but the other soldiers did as well, producing in all more than one million words during their travels.
• “URGENT SUBTLE CONCISE ROBUST” – Paintings (1987)
• The Art of Fiction No. 42