FDA-D.136-2010
Parts
Object number
FDA-D.136-2010
Object type
Identification
Title
Ptarmigan in Mid Plumage
Pilkington
Pilkington
Title Type
assigned by cataloguer
collection
collection
Comments
Until 1926, Collins was virtually unknown, except as the draughtsman of a series of twelve prints of groups of birds, published in 1736, of which a hand-coloured copy existst in the British Library. Then in June 1926 Sotheby's sold the collection of Taylor White, F.R.S., including sixteen volumes containing 659 drawings of song and game birds by Collins and the French artist Peter Paillou, as well as volumes of exotic flora and fauna. These drawings bear dates between 1736 and 1742, that is, after the appearance of the prints. They were presumably made in conjunction with another publication project which came to nothing, scuppered, perhaps, by George Edwards's Natural History of Birds, published between 1743 and 1751. This became the major source of reference on British birds in the middle years of the eighteenth century.
Collins' paintings were more clinical than Edwards', lacking his landscape backgrounds and suggestion of habitat. Their rich colouration and minute attention to details of plumage make them nonetheless one of the great achievements of British natural history illustration.
Collins' paintings were more clinical than Edwards', lacking his landscape backgrounds and suggestion of habitat. Their rich colouration and minute attention to details of plumage make them nonetheless one of the great achievements of British natural history illustration.
Other number
Pi 236
Description
Dimensions
height: 545mm
width: 380mm
width: 380mm
Inscription
Signed and dated, lower left: 'Chs. Collins. Fecit 1741'
Materials & techniques note
Watercolour and bodycolour, with gum arabic
Production
Person
Collins, Charles, c. 1680 - 1744 (Artist)
Date
1741
History and association
Object history note
Provenance: Collection of Alan Pilkington; by whom presented/bequeathed to Eton College
Exhibited: 'Hidden Treasures', 3 March to 31 March 2010; 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 27; 'Humphrey Ocean: Fresh as Paint', The Verey Gallery, Eton College, 9 June to 30 October 2022, catalogue number 22
Exhibited: 'Hidden Treasures', 3 March to 31 March 2010; 'A Genius for Watercolour', Christie’s, London, 6 to 24 January 2003, catalogue number 27; 'Humphrey Ocean: Fresh as Paint', The Verey Gallery, Eton College, 9 June to 30 October 2022, catalogue number 22
Previous ownership
Pilkington, Alan, 1879 - 1973: Bequeathed to Eton by Alan Pilkington, 1973
References
• Ryan, H., Hidden Treasures, W.S. Fine Art exhibition catalogue, 2010 (p. 12-13, no. 1)
• Wilcox, T., A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, Christie's exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (p. 35, no. 27)
• Wilcox, T., A Genius for Watercolour; Watercolours from the Eton College Collection, Christie's exhibition catalogue, London, 2003 (p. 35, no. 27)
