Great Eared Owl 1821 - 1834

Prideaux John Selby rendered this Great Eared Owl using watercolor and graphite. The composition is dominated by the owl, centrally placed and depicted with meticulous detail. Its rich, earthy tones contrast subtly against the muted background, drawing our focus to the intricate patterns of its feathers. The owl’s intense gaze, rendered with striking clarity, evokes a sense of profound connection with the viewer. Selby’s rendering taps into the then burgeoning field of ornithology with its project of classifying and documenting. What this image shares with similar images, is the use of scientific observation combined with artistic skill to celebrate nature's complexity. Here, the owl is not merely an animal, but a subject of study, its form and texture rendered with near scientific precision. This piece invites contemplation on how we categorize the natural world, blending empirical observation with artistic expression. Selby’s formal choices invite us to consider how art can expand our understanding, reflecting the shifting boundaries between science and art.