Wilkins Birdwoman
Poster Prints from Mary Evans Picture Library
Wilkins Birdwoman
GAIVRY, THE FLYING GIRL with her wings outstretched, ready to fly
Mary Evans Picture Library makes available wonderful images created for people to enjoy over the centuries
Media ID 577675
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10017875
1751 Birdmen Outstretched Ready Wilkins Wings
EDITORS COMMENTS
This image, titled "Gaivry, The Flying Girl" or "Wilkins Birdwoman," is a historical treasure from the annals of aviation's earliest days. Dating back to 1751, this print depicts a young girl named Gaivry, with her arms outstretched and wings spread wide, as if ready to take flight. The intricate detailing of her bird-like wings, adorned with delicate feathers and intricate patterns, suggests an otherworldly and fantastical quality. Gaivry's association with birds and flight is not a mere whimsy, but rather a reflection of the fascination with avian flight that permeated European culture during the 18th century. The idea of human flight had long captivated the human imagination, and various attempts were made to create flying machines. In this context, Gaivry's image can be seen as a symbol of human aspiration and the desire to transcend earthly limitations. Despite the fantastical nature of this print, it is grounded in historical reality. The image is believed to have been inspired by a French artist named Jacques-Philippe Le Basne, who created a series of prints featuring birdwomen and birdmen. Le Basne's works were popular during the Rococo period, a time of artistic and intellectual flourishing in Europe. The exact meaning behind Gaivry's image remains a subject of debate among historians and art scholars. Some believe that it represents the human longing for freedom and the ability to soar above the mundane world. Others see it as a commentary on the role of women in society, suggesting that they too have the potential to defy earthly constraints and take flight. Regardless of its meaning, Gaivry, The Flying Girl, remains an enduring symbol of human creativity, imagination, and the eternal quest for flight. This rare and beautiful print invites us to look beyond the boundaries of the known world and to dream of the possibilities that lie beyond.
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