A Female Snowy Owl 1889

Archibald Thorburn, likely in the late 19th or early 20th century, made this image of a female snowy owl with watercolor. It is, of course, paint applied to paper. The artist is closely observing the subject, carefully rendering its distinctive markings and features. Thorburn used delicate brushwork to capture the texture and softness of the owl's feathers. This must have required close, sustained observation, as he carefully rendered the bird’s form. There’s also an element of sentiment here. As a work of art, this watercolor is a commodity in itself, and its value hinges on the artist’s skilled rendering of its subject. But there is more to it than that. The value is also tied to the inherent beauty of nature, which is here being presented as a precious, coveted thing. Works like this invite us to consider not only the artistic skill involved, but also our relationship to the natural world.