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British Ornithological Painting Jays Perched Bird Studies By Donald Watson

£5,000.00

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Discover the beauty of the natural world with this exquisite British Ornithological Painting, Jays Perched Bird Studies By Donald Watson. Capturing the intricate details of the jays, this painting celebrates the joyous colors of nature. Hang this piece and marvel at its beauty!
Mixed media on paper with a front protective glass cover.
An early example of his very fine work.
Set in original light oak wooden frame.
Subject Ornithological study of Jays perched on archways.
Signed by the famous listed known British artist Donald Watson 1918-2005.
Watson was born at Raleigh, Surrey. He drew birds as a child and was encouraged in this by the wildlife artist Archibald Thorburn.
He exhibited at the Royal Scottish Academy, Royal Glasgow Institute of Fine Arts & Royal Institute.
The family relocated to Edinburgh, and Donald attended Edinburgh Academy. There he met a former pupil, George Waters ton, Director of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in Scotland, and President of the Midlothian Ornithologists' Club, which became the Scottish Ornithologists' Club in 1936.
Together with his elder brother, Eric (1914-1999), they were among the first members of the newly founded Scottish Ornithologists' Club in 1933, and helped to set up a bird observatory on the Isle of May in the Firth of Forth. After attending Oxford University and then undergoing war service in India, he was further encouraged by two ornithologists at Tyron, Dumfriesshire, the Rev. J.M. McWilliam, and Sir Arthur Duncan, Chairman of the Nature Conservancy.
Donald Watson specialized in painting birds in their natural environment. He had his first one-man exhibition in Edinburgh in 1949, followed by London, Glasgow, Oxford, Humphries as well as Toronto and Luxembourg. He illustrated over 30 books, including the Oxford Book of British Birds. Furthermore, he became a founder member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, and President of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club. Furthermore, he also was a local bird recorder for Galloway.
He was not only a painter, but also a gifted author. His first book, written and illustrated by him, was "Birds of Moor and Mountain" (1972), followed by "The Hen Harrier" (1977), "A Bird Artist in Scotland" (1988), and "One Pair of Eyes" (1994).
He and his wife, Joan, settled in St. John's Town of Dairy in a house called Barony.
He died in Humphries. He and his wife are buried in Dairy Kirk yard. The Donald Watson Gallery, an exhibition space for wildlife artists at Waters ton House in Already, East Latvian is named after him.
Although they are the most colorful members of the crow family, jays are actually quite difficult to see. They are shy woodland birds, rarely moving far from cover. The screaming call usually lets you know a jay is nearby, and it is usually given when a bird is on the move, so watch for a bird flying between the trees with its distinctive flash of white on the rump. Jays are famous for their acorn feeding habits and in the autumn you may see them burying acorns for retrieving later in the winter.
Circa mid 20th century dated 1957.
Provenance written in pen verso first purchased by J.M. Dickson at 47 Mains Dairy(Home of the artist) and bequeathed to his son Douglas in Leominster following his death. Label verso.
Reference sources Wikipedia, Scottish Ornithologists Club,
Highly sought after by CEO's, interior designers, museums, art galleries, antique dealers, famous & private collectors, film to studio prop shops.
Ready for immediate home wall display with hanging thread verso.
Incredible conversation piece for your guests.
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Condition report.
Offered in fine used condition.
The front painting surface is in good overall order.
The frame having some minor chips in places, scuffs, scratches commensurate with usage & age, the protective glass is in good order.
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Dimensions in centimetres of the frame

High (35cm)

Wide (47cm)

Depth (1.5cm)