Ptarmigan; Adult male, female and young, autumn plumage

Details

Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935)
Ptarmigan; Adult male, female and young, autumn plumage
signed and dated 'Archibald Thorburn/1908' (lower left)
pencil, watercolour and bodycolour with gum arabic
20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm.)

Literature

J.G. Millais, The Natural History of British Game Birds, London, 1909, illustrated opp. p. 66.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

Lot Essay

'Thorburn loved both ptarmigan and the wilderness in which they live. Their ever changing plumage coinciding with the colours and the seasons never ceased to fascinate and inspire him.' J. Southern, Thorburn's Birds and Mammals, London, 1986, p. 82.

Most of Thorburn's drawings of ptarmigan originated on the estate of Gaick in Invernesshire. He first stayed there in 1889 and subsequently returned as a visitor each autumn for many years.

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