Archibal Thorburn (British, 1860-1935)
Ptarmigans in winter plumage

signed and dated 'A. THORNBURN 1927' (lower left), further signed (lower left, margin)
print

Dimensions: 46 x 30 cm. (18 1/8 x 11 7/8 in.)

with John Mathieson & Co., Edinburgh.

Archibald Thorburn is widely recognised for his watercolours of British wildlife and birdlife. Educated in Scotland, he started to sketch wildlife as a child, especially birds. He developed his practise in London and achieved widespread recognition for his 268 watercolours of birds for Lord Lilford's 'Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Isles'. He designed the first Christmas card for the RSPB in 1899.