Pectoral Sandpiper 

Editor: Right, let's talk about this beautiful watercolour and coloured pencil drawing, "Pectoral Sandpiper" by Archibald Thorburn. I'm immediately struck by the dynamism; it feels like we're right there, sharing the sandpiper's moment of flight. What details stand out to you in this piece? Curator: Ah, isn't it lovely? Thorburn really captures a sense of wildness, doesn’t he? It's like a snatched glimpse into a private world. What tickles my fancy is the tension he creates. It’s almost as if time has been suspended—the bird caught mid-action. Look how he uses colour; that quiet palette reflects the bird's environment so beautifully. The light seems to shift as you move closer... Do you sense that, too? Editor: I absolutely see that. It's quite immersive! Almost like a photograph but with the added charm of the artist's hand. Were these kinds of nature studies common at the time? Curator: Indeed, there was a huge surge in ornithological art around the late 19th and early 20th centuries, wasn't there? A reflection, I reckon, of the burgeoning interest in natural history, and perhaps a nostalgic longing for the unspoiled countryside. Imagine the artist out there, braving the elements, notebook and pencils in hand, utterly absorbed. Don’t you just want to join him? Editor: It paints a lovely picture! This conversation has really opened my eyes to appreciating the details of wildlife art. I’ll never look at bird illustrations the same way again! Curator: Me neither, and I find a delightful resonance in considering these moments, captured across time, each time I engage with Thorburn's Pectoral Sandpiper.