Partridge 1933

This watercolour by Archibald Thorburn captures a partridge nestled in its natural habitat. I’m imagining Thorburn carefully observing the bird, really looking, mixing his colours, making the paint flow just so, capturing the gentle curves and earthy tones. The brushstrokes are delicate, almost feathery, mirroring the bird's soft plumage. See how the light catches the tips of the grass, a soft, golden-brown. The artist probably worked en plein air - or perhaps they made a sketch and then went back to the studio and, with that memory, put down the washes of colour. I wonder if he was thinking about capturing a fleeting moment, a serene encounter with nature's beauty? Maybe a commentary on the vulnerability of wildlife and the importance of preserving its habitat. The gentleness of the painting makes me want to protect this little bird. We’re all connected across time, you know. We can see a partridge in a painting and understand how the artist saw a partridge. So amazing!