Keulemans original watercolor

Keulemans, Johannes Gerardus (1842-1912).
The Kakapo or Owl Parrot.
Watercolor on paper.
Signed lower left: "JG Keulemans"
C. 1900.
14 1/4" x 19" sheet, 27" x 22" framed.
The kakapo (Strigops habroptila, G.R. Gray, 1845). or "owl parrot" is one of the rarest and most extraordinary parrot species, and is considered the heaviest non-flying parrot in the world. There are only 149 Kakapos alive today. Its name is the English transliteration the Maori words "Kaka" (parrot) and "Po" (night).
Keulemans's original work is extremely rare, and only in his watercolors can one attain a full understanding of his mastery as an ornithological artist. A number of Keulemans' original watercolors are in the collection of the British Museum or other institutions, and few become available to private collectors. This magnificent watercolor represents an important and unusual opportunity to attain an original work by one of the foremost bird artists working in Victorian Britain.