Capercaillie 1931

Archibald Thorburn's 'Capercaillie' made with watercolour, is like observing a vivid, hushed moment in the Scottish Highlands. Thorburn coaxes out light with thin washes of color, creating a landscape that feels both immediate and timeless. Looking at how the capercaillies perch on the branch, I can almost feel the cool air and hear the rustle of leaves. I wonder, what was Thorburn thinking as he painted? Did he feel a kinship with these birds, a shared sense of belonging in the wild? I bet he studied them carefully, those feathery bodies, capturing each detail with precision and care. Think about how other artists such as Audubon have painted birds too, each finding their way into that liminal space between observation and expression. It is through their work that artists share their perspective, inviting us to see the world anew.