Author: Charlotte Bearn

artrepublic's Best Birds

Artists throughout history have drawn inspiration from birds. They have been used to symbolize all manner of ideas, as well as being beautiful, colourful entities in themselves. We take a look at some of the best ornithological creations at artrepublic...

Bird imagery can be traced from the cave paintings of the Paleolithic era to the present day, and across all world cultures. The oldest reputed artistic representation of birds or parts of birds is a prehistoric bird-headed man dating from 15,000 to 10,000 B.C. painted on one of the walls of the treasure-house of Stone Age art, Lascaux Cave in France.

Ancient Egyptians considered birds ‘winged souls’ and would use them to symbolize particular gods. Goldfinches appeared commonly in illuminated manuscripts in the Middle Ages, and Byzantine, Gothic and Early Renaissance paintings are rich in philosophical and Christian symbolism regarding birds.

Birds have long been a favourite motif in Japanese painting and oriental art. They are linked with specific seasons and interpreted as reflections of human emotions and qualities. Louise McNaught's work is ever inspired by many arrays of different birds. Often depicting a hummingbird but exploring other species.

There is a surreal element to Penelope Kenny’s beautiful metamorphic rabbit-birds. Birds feature heavily in her work which explores the relationship between humans and other animals, especially in connection to evolution, hybrids and biotechnology.

Contemporary artist Kristjana S Williams creates beautiful collages that often feature gorgeous birds of colour. Her stunning prints show the majestic wonder of these birds.

The Parisian bird market which is still held every Sunday near the Notre Dame was the subject of a charming Miroslav Sasek illustration 'Bird Market' for his 1959 book ‘This is Paris’. The godfather of British Pop art, Sir Peter Blake, similarly features birds in his portrait of the French capital. 'Birds' is a magnificent print from his Paris series which captures the joie de vivre and spirit of bohemianism that pervades in the city. Blake's ornate collage juxtaposes the best of Parisian architecture with an eclectic selection of beautiful bird illustrations.

NEW RELEASES

The Wild Swim from £120

Oli Mumby

Various sizes

Off You Pop by Louise Nordh
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Off You Pop £95

Louise Nordh

35 x 35cm

Limited edition of 30

Moving Forms by Mr Penfold
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Moving Forms £165

Mr Penfold

26 x 30cm

Limited edition of 15

Inside Mickey's Heart from £150

Angel London

Various sizes

Navy Boy £175

Charlie Evaristo-Boyce

50 x 70cm

Limited edition of 25

I Will Bite from £135

Mathilda Mai

Various sizes

Italian Summer by SODA
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Italian Summer £125

SODA

42 x 29.7cm

Limited edition of 40

Let's Get It On £595

Linda Charles

56 x 76cm

Limited edition of 45

Wash the Blues Away by Charlie Haydn Taylor
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Wash the Blues Away from £150

Charlie Haydn Taylor

Various sizes

Inhale £175

Joe Webb

50 x 70cm

Limited edition of 30

Roarsome - Green by And Wot
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Roarsome - Green £195

And Wot

50 x 70cm

Limited edition of 2

Fresh £200

Hannah Adamaszek

60 x 75.5cm

Limited edition of 15

Destroy the Patriarchy Not the Planet (Mini) £400

Hannah Shillito

27.9 x 21cm

Limited edition of 20

Scratchin' Cats (Blue) £150

The Cameron Twins

33 x 36cm

Limited edition of 20

Fast Dog £95

Gavin Dobson

50 x 70cm

Limited edition of 100

In The Sky With Stars £195

Charlie Evaristo-Boyce

70 x 100cm

Limited edition of 16

Gamebuoy by Nick Chaffe
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Gamebuoy £100

Nick Chaffe

29.7 x 42cm

Limited edition of 50

Seascape W £300

Newton Blades

50 x 30cm

Limited edition of 100

Ley Lines £450

Maxine Gregson

100 x 50cm

Limited edition of 250

What's That Then by Nick Chaffe
Ready To Hang
What's That Then £400

Nick Chaffe

27.8 x 54.8cm

Limited edition of 5

Les Oiseaux - Artist Proof £295

Epi

42 x 29.7cm

Limited edition of 50

See You Later Alligator! £550

The Cameron Twins

51 x 72cm

Limited edition of 10

The Olive Branch (Azzuro) £2,500

Magnus Gjoen

95 x 120cm

Limited edition of 3

AZUL Mini £125

Florence Blanchard

40 x 40cm

Limited edition of 25