A Golden Eagle 1916

Archibald Thorburn painted this watercolor, A Golden Eagle, sometime between 1860 and 1935. Thorburn was a Scottish artist specializing in ornithological subjects. The inherent qualities of watercolor as a medium lends itself to the precise detail of the birds’ feathers, while the process of layering washes creates a sense of atmospheric perspective and depth, evoking a feeling of wilderness. Thorburn’s proficiency with the medium demonstrates a mastery of technique and skilled tradition rooted in both the fine arts and scientific illustration. In his time, works like this served not only aesthetic purposes, but also contributed to the scientific study and understanding of the natural world. By paying close attention to these materials, making, and the context in which they were created, we gain a deeper appreciation of the cultural and artistic value of this work.