Study of a dead French partridge

About this work

This watercolor shows a dead bird lying on its side, its feathers still detailed but dull. The head is turned slightly, with a red patch near its eye and a long tail fanned out behind it. The colors are muted—browns, grays, and soft blues—with some faint strokes of red on its legs. The bird looks like it was painted from life, with careful attention to the way feathers spread and clump. The artist used light washes to show texture, making the feathers look almost three-dimensional. If you like this kind of close-up nature study, check out Constable, John (RA).