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Argus Pheasant

Pieter Pietersz Barbiersca. 1780 - ca. 1842

Rijksmuseum

Rijksmuseum
Amsterdam, Netherlands

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.

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  • Title: Argus Pheasant
  • Creator: Barbiers, Pieter Pietersz.
  • Date Created: ca. 1780 - ca. 1842
  • Physical Dimensions: papier
  • Rights: http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/mark/1.0/
Rijksmuseum

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