Red-Legged Partridge 1907

Archibald Thorburn made this watercolor of a Red-Legged Partridge in 1907. I like how the bird stands out against its dreamy, hazy background. It gives it a sense of being both present and slightly out of reach. Thorburn's delicate brushstrokes create soft edges and subtle gradations of color. Look at the way he suggests the texture of the bird's feathers with tiny flicks of paint, or the almost translucent washes he uses to depict the sky. There's a real sense of air and light in this painting; you can almost feel the breeze rustling through the grass. The red legs of the bird are echoed in the red beak and markings on its head and feathers, drawing the eye to the subject of the painting. This piece reminds me a little of Audubon, who also tried to capture the essence of birds in his paintings. Both were interested in the form and character of their subject, and in creating something that was both scientifically accurate and visually appealing. But, in the end, isn’t all art just an ongoing conversation?