Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935) Cock pheasant in a woodland Signed and dated 1903 Watercolour with...

Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935)

Cock pheasant in a woodland

Signed and dated 1903

Watercolour with bodycolour

28 x 48.5cm; 11 x 19in

Archibald Thorburn is the best known British ornithological painter and still

sets the benchmark for paintings of birds. Although many other artists have

followed Thorburn, he is cherished by collectors for the quality of his work but

also because he was devoted to the protection of birds, he was vice-president

of the RSPB and designed their Christmas card from 1899 to 1935, the year of

his death. This watercolour of a cock pheasant is a vibrant work, the plumage

displays Thorburn's mastery of complex colour tones.