Artwork
Stripe-breasted Starthroat
Stripe-breasted Starthroat is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Martin Johnson Heade. It dates from 1863 and is held in the collection of the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
About this work
Overview
Stripe-breasted Starthroat is a painting by Martin Johnson Heade, created in 1863 using oil paint. It is a representative work of the artist's style, characterized by detailed and realistic depictions.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features two hummingbirds perched on a branch, surrounded by foliage and set against a misty mountainous backdrop. The scene is tranquil, with the birds appearing lost in their own world, suggesting a serene and intimate atmosphere.
Technique & Style
Heade's use of soft, muted colors and delicate brushstrokes contributes to the painting's sense of wonder and intimacy. The work showcases his precise realism and quiet composition, diverging from the romanticism prevalent among his contemporaries.
History & Provenance
The painting is part of the collection at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art. Created by Martin Johnson Heade, an artist born in Pennsylvania in 1819, it reflects his training under folk artist Edward Hicks and his later association with the American Impressionist movement.
Artist & collection
Artist
Martin Johnson Heade (August 11, 1819 – September 4, 1904) was an American painter known for his salt marsh landscapes, seascapes, and depictions of hummingbirds, often depicted with orchids, as well as lotus blossoms and other still lifes.
Museum
Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
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