Henry Constantine Richter - Illustrator

Lost in the shadow of John Gould

Henry Constantine Richter was an amazing English zoological illustrator from the 19th century. He was known for creating many beautiful colored lithographs of birds and mammals; his work mainly appeared in the scientific books of the renowned ornithologist, John Gould.

Many of Richter's illustrations were actually based on drawings done by John Gould's wife, Elizabeth Coxen, before she passed away in 1841.

Despite his incredible skills, Richter's name kind of got lost in the shadows of his famous boss. Unfortunately, and unfairly, back then, it wasn't the norm to give illustrators credit alongside authors in publications.

But thankfully, in 1978, a researcher named Christine E. Jackson shed light on Richter's immense contributions to Gould's work and recognized his talent.

Henry Constantine Richter was born on June 7, 1821, in Brompton, London, England. Artistry ran in his family - his dad, Henry James Richter, was not just a philosopher but also a painter and engraver. Even his half-sister, Henrietta Sophia, became a successful miniature portrait artist and exhibited at the prestigious Royal Academy of Arts in London.

The Richter family was pretty close-knit, as shown in the census records. In 1851, 30-year-old Richter was still living with his parents, who provided a supportive and loving home. It seems living together was partly for financial reasons too, since artists and lithographers weren't paid much. One artist even said that his earnings just about kept him from starving!

It's great that we now know about Henry Constantine Richter's significant role in the world of zoological illustrations, thanks to Christine E. Jackson's research. His talent and dedication deserve to be remembered and celebrated!