Velvet-Scoter 1913

"Velvet-Scoter" is a 1913 painting by Archibald Thorburn (1860-1935), a British wildlife artist known for his meticulous detail and naturalism. The painting depicts a pair of Velvet Scoters, a species of sea duck, swimming in a turbulent sea. The artist captures the birds' glossy black plumage and striking white markings with impressive precision, while the churning water creates a sense of energy and movement. Thorburn's artwork exemplifies the tradition of ornithological illustration, which combines scientific accuracy with artistic beauty.