From Hummingbirds to Owls: Why Birds Keep Appearing in Art
This article explores the theme of birds in artistic works, highlighting Martin Johnson Heade (1819–1904), celebrated for his striking depictions of hummingbirds. During his trip to Brazil from 1863 to 1864, he produced 'The Gems of Brazil,' which features 15 out of 16 pieces showcasing these birds. His artworks and accompanying notes are housed at the Crystal Bridges Museum. Additionally, it mentions James McNeill Whistler (1834–1903), who crafted 'Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room' (1876–1877) for Frederick R. Leyland, which was later acquired by Charles Lang Freer in 1904 and donated to the Freer Gallery in 1923. The piece also references owls in ancient Greek art, kacho-e prints from Edo-period Japan, and Moche pottery from Peru (100 BCE–500 CE), while promoting 'Animals' postcards.
Key facts
- Martin Johnson Heade (1819–1904) painted hummingbirds and orchids, creating 'The Gems of Brazil' series during his 1863–1864 visit to Brazil.
- Heade's original paintings and notes for an abandoned book are at the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art.
- James McNeill Whistler created 'Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room' (1876–1877) for Frederick R. Leyland.
- The Peacock Room was sold to Charles Lang Freer in 1904 and later given to the Freer Gallery of Art in 1923.
- In 2011, curators reinstalled the Peacock Room with Freer's original porcelain collection based on old photographs.
- Ancient Greek art featured owls as symbols of Athena and wisdom, appearing on pottery and coins like a tetradrachm from Athens (449–393 BCE).
- Japanese kacho-e (bird-and-flower prints) flourished during the Edo period (1615–1868), with artists like Hiroshige and Hokusai.
- Moche pottery from Peru (100 BCE–500 CE) includes vessels shaped like birds and owl impersonators, using molds and red and cream slip.
Entities
Artists
- Martin Johnson Heade
- Frederic Edwin Church
- James McNeill Whistler
- Hiroshige
- Hokusai
- Teisai Hokuba
Institutions
- National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC
- Amon Carter Museum
- Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art
- Freer Gallery of Art
- Smithsonian
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Yale University Art Gallery
- Art Institute of Chicago
Locations
- Brazil
- Florida
- Washington, DC
- USA
- Fort Worth, TX
- Detroit, Michigan
- Greece
- Athens
- New York City, NY
- New Haven, CT
- Japan
- Peru
- Trujillo, Peru