Pigeon Commun, a print by Martinet, simulates reality through its synthesis of texture and color. Begun c. 1770- 1786, Pigeon Commun was engraved as plate four hundred sixty-six of Histoire Naturelle des Oiseaux. Though Martinet intended to depict a common pigeon, the subject more closely resembles a stock dove. In the print, the dove stands in profile, a typical pose for ornithology work. Martinet recreates texture using precise hatch marks and stippling, especially within the plumage. The inclusion of a stump incorporates the bird into a realistic habitat. Masterful coloring accentuates the piece, finalizing value, form, and texture.