Vanishing VI (Red-winged Grasshopper) by Holly Downing
Vanishing VI (Red-winged Grasshopper)
Holly Downing
Title
Vanishing VI (Red-winged Grasshopper)
Artist
Holly Downing
1948 - PRESENT (biography)Year
2020
Technique
mezzotint with hand applied color
Image Size
3 x 2 15/16" platemark
Signature
pencil, lower right
Edition Size
4 of 25
Annotations
pencil titled and dated in lower margin
Reference
Paper
antique-white Rives BFK
State
published
Publisher
artist
Inventory ID
HD224
Price
$250.00
Description
This hand-colored mezzotint is from a series of prints Holly Downing has been doing featuring vanishing species, in this case, invertebrates. Each impression is printed in black and then hand-colored by the artist. There may be slight variations between impressions.
According to Downing, the Red-winged Grasshopper has remarkable red wings and round bulbous eyes. It is found mostly on rocky terrains where its gray-brown body, seen when the wings are closed, provided excellent camouflage. Its red wings, which deter predators, are only visible during a large, hovering jump. It has been studied extensively in Germany, where it is threatened with extinction.