Feather and Brush
A History of Australian Bird Art
Second Edition By: Penny Olsen
Explores the rich history of Australian bird art, featuring more than 400 images by 158 artists.
Feather and Brush traces the history of bird art in Australia – from the simple engravings illustrating accounts of the earliest European voyages of discovery to the diversity of artwork available today. It explores the early European approach, in which naval draughtsmen, officers, convicts, settlers, naturalists, artists and scientists alike contributed both to the art and the science of ornithology, through to a wealth of contemporary artists who feature birds in their works. + Full description
This book contains more than 400 images, representing the work of 158 artists; some well-known, others published for the first time. The illustrations have been selected for their interest, whether ornithological, historical or artistic. They range from classical to quirky, decorative to functional, monumental to intimate. Together they demonstrate the rich history of Australian bird art, as it evolved in Europe and Australia, and continues today, along with the trends and technologies of the times.
This second edition includes new and revised chapters, and features about 200 new artworks, including some by Indigenous artists.
Certificate of Commendation, The Royal Zoological Society of NSW 2022 Whitley Awards: Historical Zoology
Cultural sensitivity
Readers are warned that there may be words, descriptions and terms used or referenced in this book that are culturally sensitive. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this book contains images and names of deceased persons.
Reviews
"Far from a simple book of images—although it’s lavishly illustrated, its well-researched text delves into the circumstances and stories behind many of the artworks and the people who painted them."
John Peter, Australian Birdlife, June 2022
"While Olsen is an academic, her writing is never inaccessible, and both bird and art lovers will find much to enjoy in her in-depth history."
Kylie Northover, The Age of Spectrum, 30 April 2022
"Selected for their ornithological, historical or artistic interest, the illustrations range from classical and quirky to decorative, functional, monumental and intimate. They collectively demonstrate the rich history of Australian bird art, showing how it has evolved in Europe and Australia, and how it continues today in line with modern trends and technology."
On the Self Books, ABC Gardening Australia, June 2022
"The book is in two parts, the first being an expository history of the development of bird illustration and art, and the second a catalogue of the works of contemporary and recently deceased artists. It is a product of deep scholarship and familiarity with the subject. [...] I congratulate the author for bringing us this revised and expanded version of her original work."
Trevor Hodson, Historical Records of Australian Science 33(2), September 2022
"In 1879 Oscar Wilde said there is no better way to learn to love nature than to understand art. 'The boy who sees things of beauty which a bird on the wing becomes when transferred to wood or canvas probably will not throw the customary stone,' he said. That incisive quote could have been written with this book in mind."
Talking Birds, October 2022
"A luscious and absorbing volume with the breadth and depth to appeal to anyone with even a modest interest in birds or art."
Julian Robinson, Canberra Bird Notes 47(2), November 2022
"Feather and Brush: A History of Australian Bird Art is an extraordinary book describing the journey of ornithological art in Australia, from a process of species documentation, to study of ecology, a tool of identification, a way to express appreciation of our birdlife, and as a tool to raise awareness for bird conservation."
Samantha Yabsley, Emu - Austral Ornithology, 2022
Details
Hardback | May 2022 | $ 69.99ISBN: 9781486314171 | 352 pages | 305 x 215 mm
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Colour illustrations
ePDF | May 2022
ISBN: 9781486314188
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers
ePUB | May 2022
ISBN: 9781486314195
Publisher: CSIRO Publishing
Available from eRetailers
Features
- Includes over 400 beautiful, full-colour images, including some rare and never-before-published illustrations.
- Features 158 artists, both historical and contemporary.
- Explores the history of the role of bird illustration in ornithology, bird watching and conservation.
- This second edition features revised text, additional chapters, and around 200 new artworks.
Features the contemporary artists:
Frank Thomson Morris; John Wolseley; Frank Knight; Humphrey Price-Jones: Mulkuṉ Wirrpanda; Pamela Griffith; Pete Marshall; Glenys Buzza; Syd Tunn; Peter Langdon; Gail Higgins; Richard Weatherly; Ona Henderson; Susan Skuse; Steve Morvell; Annelise Howes; Janet Luxton; Katherine Cooper; Peter Trusler; Peter Marsack; Nicolas Day; Kim Franklin; Peta Boyce; Elizabeth Cogley; Jeff Davies; Oscar Giammichele; Vida Pearson; Robert Mancini; Greg Postle; Catherine Lidden; E.A.O. Darby; Nicola Dickson; Brian Looker; Prue Sailer; James Hough; Sally Elmer; Philip Farley; Tony Pridham; Brett Jarrett; James Luck; Natalia Balo; Sally Edmonds; Robin Wingrave; Katherine Castle; Vanessa Richardson; Mel Hills; Emma Lindsay; Mal Chambers; Geoffrey Carran; Belinda Kurczok; William Ritchie; Sebastian Galloway
Contents
PrefaceAcknowledgments
Cultural sensitivity warning
1. Introduction
2. New land, new birds: seamen and draughtsmen, 1600–1777
3. The escape of natural history study: convicts and officers, 1788–1800
4. Stirrings of an Australian sensibility: settlers and surveyors, 1800–1840
5. Through distant eyes: natural history artists in Europe, 1770–1840
6. A synergy of art and science: John and Elizabeth Gould and the Australia-based artist-cataloguers, 1840–1900
7. Family affairs: natural history artists in Europe, 1840–1940
8. Art and science estranged: inertia and an Australian field guide, 1900–1960
9. Art and science regroup: bird-lovers and conservationists in Australia, 1960–2000
10. Illustration for field identification: field guides and handbooks, 1920–2020
11. Art in the Anthropocene: Australian artists, 2000–2020
12. The contemporary artists
References
Alphabetical list of artists represented
Index
Authors
Penny Olsen is an award-winning research scientist and author. She has written more than 30 books on Australia's natural history and its practitioners. Feather and Brush developed from her belief that Australia has a fascinating ornithological history, which is incomplete without full recognition of the contributions of artists and illustrators.
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