Birds

Birds have been a popular and enduring subject of art for thousands of years. Birds have been seen as bringers of good fortune or ill omen. They have symbolised freedom, love and life. Artists have depicted the variety, movement and plumage of birds. While some artists might revel in precise depiction, picking out each feather in detail, others suggest form or movement with a shape or line.

This room shows British art from the 17th century to now. In the 17th and early 18th centuries, birds were used to tell morality tales or to show the bounties of the hunt. Over time, observation replaced mythology about birds. Trading ships brought back species of birds not seen before in Britain from newly colonised parts of the world. The realistic depiction of birds by many 18th century artists reflected an increasing interest and curiosity in the natural world, and a scientific drive to observe and classify different species. More recently, artists have highlighted the challenges birds face in a changing environment, such as the effect of chemical use and habitat loss. Conservation efforts offer hope that birds will thrive, and continue to inspire artists into the future.