The Taylor White Collection's 18th Century Watercolour Painting of The Kingfishers
Our Kingfishers fine art print comes from the original collection of Taylor White F.R.S. (1701-1772). In the mid-18th Century, White commissioned the celebrated wildlife painter, Peter Paillou (c.1720 - c.1790) to paint a number of specimens for his collection. The watercolour painting of the Kingfishers was one of these masterpieces, which emerged from the collaboration between White and Paillou.
The original watercolour of the Kingfishers is extremely finely painted, with incredible detail, allowing you to see the Kingfishers's plumage and features in stunning clarity. This depth of colour and detail has been captured brilliantly through the digitalisation process and is replicated for you on this delightful fine art print, which is now available for your home or office décor, or to buy as a thoughtful gift for your friends and family.
Taylor White, a barrister by profession and landowner on the Nottinghamshire / Yorkshire border, was a keen naturalist and collector. He commissioned over 900 paintings of birds, mammals, reptiles and fish from the finest painters of his day. He was a governor and the founding Treasurer of The Foundling Hospital in London, as well as being a Fellow of The Royal Society. He was extremely well-connected in Society, which enabled him to create such a world-class collections of specimen and thus paintings. White's father in-law was Major-General John Armstrong, who as Surveyor-General of the Ordnance, Chief Royal Engineer and Quartermaster-General to the Forces, has his offices in The Tower of London. Consequently, Taylor White had access to the birds and beasts of The Royal Menagerie at the Tower. He also was able to borrow specimen from The British Museum. Some rarer and more exotic specimens were brought back from their great travels across the globe by his Royal Society friends, the naturalist Sir Joseph Banks, Bt. and the famous clockmaker, John Harrison.
Superb Fine Art Print on Museum-Quality Paper
We've meticulously replicated the original Kingfishers watercolour painting on 310gsm Hahnemühle German Etching art paper [HGE] or Enhanced Matte Art Paper [EMA] for the 6in x 8in print. These top-quality fine art papers are museum-quality with the HGE paper being acid and lignin-free, ensuring the best possible longevity and colour reproduction, whilst the EMA paper is a heavy-duty fine art paper. The Kingfishers's vibrant colours and intricate details come to life in this high-quality fine art print.
* Please note that the images of the Kingfishers Fine Art Print on our website are for illustrative purposes only. The actual print uses high-resolution images to ensure a crisp, clear, and visually stunning final print.
The Common Kingfisher
The Common Kingfisher (Scientific name: Alcedo atthis) is a small yet striking bird known for its vibrant blues and oranges that adorn its feathers. Native to Europe, Asia, northern Africa, and the Middle East, these birds can typically be found inhabiting freshwater bodies such as rivers, lakes, and streams, where their main food source, fish, is abundant. This remarkable bird not only captivates with its appearance but also intrigues with its unique habits and behaviours.
Measuring around 16-19 cm in length, with a wingspan of 25-30 cm, the male Kingfisher boasts a brilliant azure-blue back and head, while the female displays a greenish-blue hue. Both sexes exhibit a bright orange underbelly. When it comes to hunting, the Kingfisher is an expert, feeding mainly on small fish, aquatic insects, and crustaceans. They perch on branches near the water's edge, patiently waiting for their prey. Once they spot a target, they dive headfirst into the water, capturing the prey in their sharp, dagger-like bill.
Kingfishers are known to excavate tunnels in riverbanks to create their nesting burrows. The breeding season typically occurs between March and August, during which time the female lays 5-7 eggs. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs for approximately 19-21 days before the chicks hatch. The Kingfisher is a majestic bird, which, if you have the privilege of seeing one, is a sight never to be forgotten.
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