In The Highlands, Red Stag Mobbed By A Pair Of Peregrines 1917

Archibald Thorburn painted "In The Highlands, Red Stag Mobbed By A Pair Of Peregrines" using watercolour on paper. This medium, prized for its translucence and fluidity, allows for delicate rendering of light and atmosphere, particularly in the misty highlands. The way Thorburn applies the paint is crucial to the image's effect. The washes of color create soft gradations, suggesting the subtle variations in the landscape. At the same time, detailed brushwork captures the texture of the stag's fur and the sharp precision of the birds in flight. Watercolour was often favored for its portability, making it ideal for outdoor studies. But it was also a favorite of amateur painters, which has led some to dismiss its potential for serious art. Thorburn's expertise, however, elevates it, challenging the hierarchy between fine art and craft. The picture implies a kind of labor, in which natural resources and the skills of the hunter are brought together. While the scene is dramatic, and suffused with a romantic ideal, the technique invites us to consider the cultural values assigned to different artistic practices, and their representation of the natural world.