Jacques Barraband, born in France in 1767, began his artistic training at the Gobleins tapestry factory in France and early in his career worked at painting Serve porcelain. He was chosen by Francois Levaillant, a rich and somewhat eccentric naturalist, to draw the birds for his Historie Naturelle des Peroquettes, Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux de Paradis, and Histoire Naturelle des Promerops. As is often the case, the beauty of the graphics superceded the reputation of the naturalist. Barrabads birds are engraved and printed in color, then finished with hand coloring While the birds are accurate and detailed, they posses a delicacy and artistry that made them a landmark in ornithological studies.