Study of a Bird c. 1810

"Study of a Bird" is an anonymous watercolor painting created circa 1810, currently housed in the Minneapolis Institute of Art. This delicate work depicts a detailed study of a bird perched on a branch, with a background of a river and distant landscape. The artist’s keen observation of the bird’s plumage and pose, rendered with a light touch and subtle washes of color, exemplifies the naturalist tradition of the time. This painting is a fine example of 19th-century bird illustration, showcasing a delicate balance of scientific accuracy and artistic expression.