A Pair of Spanish Paintings of Birds

Spain, possibly School of Valencia

Circa 1680

A Concert of Birds at a Stone Fountain

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

The scroll to the lower left is inscribed "Natura Garula"

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 a variety of South American parrots are depicted; those clearly recognizable are two macaws, probably a crested Mexican royal fly catcher and American magpies and jays.