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Natural History and Science Museum (MHNC-UP)
The Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto has a collection of more than 7,500 bird specimens, nests and eggs. Some of these specimens were taxidermied by João Alves dos Reis Júnior, ornithologist and curator of the former Zoology Museum.
In addition to the bird collection, the Museum also has 24 scientific illustrations of several of these species. The identity of the author of these drawings was only revealed in 2024.
J. G. Cibrão (as he signed his drawings), the initials of Jaime Guimarães Cibrão (1872-1943), was born in Valença do Minho. The illustrator moved to Porto as a child and finished his secondary education at the Escola Académica do Porto in 1892. He was a state employee, having worked at the House of Administration in Porto's Oriental neighbourhood. It is possible that Cibrão learnt to draw from his uncle, General Luciano Cibrão, who was recognized for his talent in the art of illustration.
Some of his work is published in the book ‘Catálogo Sistemático e Analítico das Aves de Portugal’, by João Alves dos Reis Júnior (1931), one of the few works published by this author. It was the first publication on Portuguese birds.
Alectoris rufa hispanica illustration (c. 1930) by Jaime G. CibrãoNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
Jaime Guimarães Cibrão's illustrations were based on birds taxidermied by Reis Júnior and not copies of other illustrations, as was common at the time.
Alectoris rufa hispanica (taxidermy by Reis Júnior) (2024) by Ana Sofia Correia and Jaime G. CibrãoNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
This practice is noticeable because the illustrator always wrote ‘copy of author's preparation’ or ‘copy from natural’ at the bottom of the illustrations he made.
Falco subbuteo illustration (c. 1930) by Jaime G. CibrãoNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
Birds are key elements of wildlife
From the smallest birds to birds of prey, each specimen is unique in its characteristics. Some birds of prey, such as the Eurasian Hobby (Falco subbuteo), have a curved beak suitable for hunting.
Motacilla cinerea illustration (c. 1930) by Jaime G. CibrãoNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
Others, such as the Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea), have tall, thin legs, which demonstrate the animal's adaptability to its environment, allowing it to move around in areas with shallow water.
Jaime Guimarães Cibrão aimed to represent the animal in its natural environment, even if in a generalised way and in broad strokes.
Anas crecca illustration (c. 1930) by Jaime G. CibrãoNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
This environment is ‘artificially natural’. It presents the bird in a flora that is representative of the bird's natural habitat, but which was not observed during the drawing process.
The Eurasian teal, for example, can be found on the banks of the Bertiandos lagoons in Ponte de Lima or on the banks of the River Ave in Vila do Conde.
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In the case of this drawing, the Bertiandos Lagoons were quite possibly the place of inspiration for the environment depicted.
Photographs of taxidermied birds printed for João Alves dos Reis Júnior (sem data) by João Alves Reis JúniorNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
For Jaime Guimarães Cibrão to illustrate the birds, João Alves dos Reis Júnior photographed them taxidermied, then sent the records to the illustrator for him to use as a model.
Clamator glandarius illustration (young male) (c. 1930) by Jaime G. CibrãoNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
The illustration
Jaime Guimarães Cibrão used graphite for the sketch and illustrator's notes, then used nib pen and India ink for definition, texture and precision details.
The illustrator always signed his work ‘J. G. Cibrão’ next to the birds depicted. This signature was also printed. Because he only signed with the initials of his first two names, his identity was lost until 2024.
Reis Júnior, the erudite and modest ornithologist (1937) by Jornal de NotíciasNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
Reis Júnior, known as ‘O Reis das Avesinhas’ in academic circles, was born in Valongo in 1864. He was the curator of the Zoology Museum of the Faculty of Sciences of the University of Porto and dedicated his life to the study of birds.
Contrary to popular belief, his collaboration with Jaime Guimarães Cibrão extended to other works, for example, ‘Coccygiformes, which was published in 1937.
“Systematic and Analytical Catalogue of the Birds of Portugal” by João Reis Junior (2024/2024) by Ana Sofia CorreiaNatural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto
Jaime Guimarães Cibrão, a forgotten figure in history, was, through illustration, immortalised in the works of Reis Júnior.
The birds of Portugal
The birds drawn by Cibrão continue to carry the gust of wind on their wings.
Their bodies paint the skies in different colours, and their presence is immortalised by the illustrator's hand.
CURATORSHIP: Ana Sofia Correia, sob a supervisão de Ana Cristina Sousa (DCTP-FLUP) e Diana Felícia (CITCEM/FLUP).
TEXTS: Ana Sofia Correia, com revisão científica de Ana Cristina Sousa e Diana Felícia.
IMAGE EDITING: Ana Sofia Correia.
VIDEO EDITING: Ana Sofia Correia e João Marçal.
PRODUCTION: This work is the result of Ana Sofia Correia's internship within the context of the Master's Degree in History of Art, Heritage and Visual Culture (MHAPCV), from the Faculty of Arts of the University of Porto, developed at the Museum of Natural History and Science (MHNC-UP) during the 2023/2024 academic year, under the supervision of Dr Maria João Fonseca in collaboration with Cristiana Vieira, Helena Gonçalves and Ricardo Jorge Lopes. The project was approved by the Scientific Committee in office at the MHAPCV.
PROJECT'S REPORT:
THANKS/ IMAGE AND VIDEO CREDITS: All credits for the images used have been properly included in the corresponding media.
TRANSLATION: Ana Sofia Correia.
