Madame Knip: Bad Behavior, Brilliant Birds
Pauline Knip, born Antoinette Pauline Jacqueline Rifer de Courcelles in Paris on July 26, 1781, was a French bird artist renowned for her exquisite illustrations of avian subjects, particularly pigeons. She studied under the esteemed natural history illustrator Jacques Barraband, whose works remain celebrated for their precision and beauty, honing her skills in capturing the delicate beauty of birdlife. Her talent led to exhibitions at the Paris Salons in 1808, 1810, 1812, and 1814, where she garnered acclaim and even secured lodgings at the Sorbonne as a prize for her work in 1810.
In 1808, Pauline married Joseph August Knip, adopting his surname; however, the marriage ended in divorce in 1824. During her career, she collaborated with Dutch naturalist Coenraad Jacob Temminck on a multi-part work titled Histoire Naturelle des Pigeons et des Gallinacés. Temminck, residing in the Netherlands, entrusted Pauline, based in Paris, to oversee the engraving and printing processes. This arrangement, however, led to a notable controversy.
Seizing the opportunity, Pauline made unauthorized alterations to the publication. She modified the title to Les Pigeons par Madame Knip, relegating Temminck's contribution to merely the text author. Furthermore, she removed his introduction and inserted her own dedication to Empress Marie Louise, Napoleon's second wife. To keep Temminck unaware, she sent him unaltered copies, ensuring he remained oblivious until his visit to Paris in 1812.
Despite Temminck's attempts to address this deception, Pauline's connections to the Empress provided her with protection, leaving him with little recourse. This incident not only strained their professional relationship but also introduced complexities in taxonomic citations, as scholars debated the appropriate attribution for species described in the work.
Pauline Knip passed away in Paris on April 18, 1851. Today, her works are highly collectible, celebrated for their artistic merit and historical significance. Her legacy serves as a testament to her exceptional talent and the intricate narratives that often accompany the world of art and science.