Wilde eend in de vlucht 1440 - 1460

This small watercolor of a wild duck in flight was painted in the 15th century by an artist known only as Monogrammist HK. The work is executed on parchment, which is made from animal skin - usually sheep, goat, or calf. The artist would have begun by carefully preparing the parchment, stretching and scraping it to create a smooth, even surface for painting. The translucent quality of watercolor allows the parchment to show through, creating a luminous effect. Watercolor, in its essence, is a simple combination of pigment and binder. Its fluidity allows for a remarkable range of effects. The way this duck takes flight shows how an artist can capture subtle gradations of tone and texture. The artist skillfully renders the duck's feathers, capturing their delicate structure and varied coloration. The intimate scale of the painting invites close inspection. Hopefully it gives you a sense of the artist's meticulous technique and keen observation of the natural world. And as a handmade, it shows the extraordinary skill involved in early processes of artmaking.