Western Tragopan 1918 - 1922

Archibald Thorburn painted this Western Tragopan at some point between 1860 and 1935, and it feels like a real labour of love. There is a real emphasis on the details of the male bird, its plumage looks incredibly tactile, like you could reach out and stroke it. The speckles are applied with such precision, each one carefully placed to build up the texture and pattern of the feathers. It is incredible, like a pointillist painting. The surface of the work is quite smooth, and the paint is applied in thin layers, building up the image gradually. It’s easy to imagine the artist, patiently working away, meticulously rendering each detail. Look at the bird's eye, it's a tiny fleck of white paint, but it brings the whole painting to life. Thorburn reminds me of Audubon, another artist who was obsessed with birds. But while Audubon's birds are often dramatic and dynamic, Thorburn's are more subdued and contemplative. Both artists remind us of the beauty and fragility of the natural world.