Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Donald Watson Bird Painting to the 1950s.
This Independent Date Guide was compiled by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. It works only from the photographs shown on this page and is never told the date the dealer has declared. It is a guide, not a guarantee of age, and occasional errors can occur.
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 larchways.
Signed by the famous listed known British artist Donald Watson 1918-2005.
Watson was born at Cranleigh, 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 Waterston, 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.
J.M. McWilliam, and Sir Arthur Duncan, Chairman of the Nature Conservancy.
Donald Watson specialised in painting birds in their natural environment. He had his first one-man exhibition in Edinburgh in 1949, followed by London, Glasgow, Oxford, Dumfries as well as Toronto and Luxembourg. He illustrated over 30 books, including the Oxford Book of British Birds. He became a founder member of the Society of Wildlife Artists, and President of the Scottish Ornithologists' Club. 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 Dalry in a house called Barone.
He died in Dumfries. He and his wife are buried in Dalry Kirkyard. The Donald Watson Gallery, an exhibition space for wildlife artists at Waterston House in Aberlady, East Lothian is named after him.
Although they are the most colourful 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 Mainst Dalry(Home of the artist) and bequeathed to his son Douglas in Leominster following his death. We purchased it bought from a fine auction label verso.
Reference sources wikipedia, Scottish Ornithologists Club,
Highly sought after by CEO's, interior designers, museums, art gallerys, antique dealers, famous & private collectors, film tv 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
Cheshire Antiques Consultant Ltd has dated this Donald Watson Bird Painting to the 1950s.
This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.
Source the historic in 17th, 18th, 19th & 20th century fine arts, painting, sculptures & collectibles
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Painting Jays Perched Bird Study Signed Donald Watson 1918-2005
