A Pair of Spanish Paintings of Birds

Spain, possibly School of Valencia

Circa 1680

A Concert of Birds Before a Waterfall

Height 108cm width 152cm (42.5 x 60 in)

The scroll to the lower centre is inscribed "Natura Harmona"

This most unusual pair of paintings shows a variety of birds and the intention is obviously to depict species from the Americas. As is the case with many paintings of exotic birds dating from this period, it is apparent that the artist had never seen most of them in life but was painting from stuffed specimens or travellers' descriptions. In this painting can be seen an American robin together with Baltimore orioles, flickers and mourning doves.