Gabriel Bayfield (1781-1870), Gould's colourer

Gabriel Bayfield was employed as Gould's primary colourist for 30 years. The quality of Bayfield's work was praised by leading naturalists of the time.

In an act typical of Gould's business acumen, Bayfield was contracted to the Gould publishing enterprise. A number of eminent authors, including Charles Darwin, are known to have sought Bayfield's services, but Gould did not readily reveal his colourist's address, forcing prospective clients to apply to Gould in writing.

The volume of work undertaken by Bayfield and his team of colourists was enormous. More than half a million plates were coloured for Gould between 1831 and 1861.