Reflecting the splendor of a growing empire, France produced magnificent color plate books in the early 19th century. Intrepid traveler and pioneering naturalist, Francois Levaillant produced works on natural history based on colorful accounts of his travels. Famed artist, Jacques Barraband, was engaved to execute the drawings for his best known books. The successful collaboration between artist and naturalist is evident in the resulting prints with their brilliant use of color, skillful rendering of feathers and mastery of the printing process. The Histoire Naturelle des Perroquets was printed in Paris from 1801-1805.