Bird's Nest and Apple Blossom
William Henry Hunt (London 1790 – London 1864)
Category
Art / Drawings and watercolours
Date
circa 1850 - 1887 (exh)
Materials
Bodycolour and watercolour
Measurements
160 x 210 mm
Order this imageCollection
Wightwick Manor, West Midlands
NT 1288940
Summary
Bodycolour and watercolour on paper, Bird's Nest and Apple Blossom by William Henry Hunt (London 1790 – London 1864), circa 1850. Circular bird's nest containing three eggs another on the ground to the left, apple blossom to right, framed by moss. Hunt is often referred to as "Birds' Nest Hunt" or "Hedgerow Hunt". A leg deformity made walking difficult, and his parents decided he should become an artist. He became a pupil of the landscape and architectural watercolourist John Varley. He began exhibiting oils at the Royal Academy in 1807, and in 1808 became a student at the Royal Academy Schools. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1824 and a Member in 1826. His early work comprised landscapes, architectural studies and rustic genre scenes. In about 1827 Hunt began to paint the pictures of fruit and flowers for which he is now best known. He developed a technique of using bodycolour stippled and hatched over a white ground, producing a highly detailed effect reminiscent of enamels which prefigured the Pre-Raphaelites' truth to nature and fine detail. His work was much praised by Ruskin, immensely popular, and much imitated.
Provenance
J. Gillott; Thomas Agnew and Sons Ltd. (no. 12121); Mr Bullard; presented by his sister Miss M. Bullard to the National Trust 1961.
Marks and inscriptions
Thos Agnew label No.12121. (exhibition label)
Makers and roles
William Henry Hunt (London 1790 – London 1864), artist