15th Nov, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
British, European & Sporting Art
1035
Archibald Thorburn FZS (1860-1935) Scottish
Merlin with its kill before vegetation and a winter landscape
Signed and dated 1896, watercolour and gouache, 34.5cm by 49cm
Archibald Thorburn, acclaimed the greatest natural history painter Britain has produced, was the first artist to combine unparalleled scientific accuracy with true art. Combining intricacy and vitality, his watercolour plates document the birds of the British Isles in their natural environment, predominantly across Surrey and the Scottish Highlands.
In their native Lasswade, Thorburn’s father was the first to recognise and nurture his natural talent. Despite training in Edinburgh and London, Thorburn insisted his father remained his greatest teacher. At just twenty years old he accepted his first commission for the Royal Academy, and soon after settled in London. Here, Thorburn met lifelong friends Joseph Wolf RI and George Lodge, sources of warm encouragement to the wildlife artist. Thorburn happily settled in Hascombe, Surrey with his wife and son in 1896. He thrived in the beautiful countryside and paid frequent visits to the local school, chalking up birds for the children to enjoy. He was a keen wildlife conservationist, elected Vice President of the RSPB in 1927 and annually hand-painted their Christmas cards to raise funds. When he passed in 1935, his nurse recalled how modest and cheerful he remained until the end.
Thorburn’s talent truly blossomed when he tired of large-scale exhibitions and turned to illustrating ornithological books. Lord Lilford’s 1887 commission set a new precedent for Thorburn’s work, championing his attention to detail and ability to capture a natural atmosphere. He favoured the delicate and fluid quality of watercolour, deeming oils too heavy and lifeless to illustrate the essence of wild birds. Thorburn’s paintings are particularly striking as he often employs tempera and Chinese White watercolour to enhance areas of vivid pigment and luminosity.
Sold for £4,200
Estimated at £2,000 - £3,000
Paper flat and even, no tears or creases. A couple of very minor tiny nicks and scratches to ppaer. One tiny black mark in sky. Colour good. Paper slightly darkened/oxidised particuarly at edges.
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Auction: British, European & Sporting Art, 15th Nov, 2025
An early work by Alfred Munnings depicting Romani life at Norwich’s historic Tombland Fair is set to lead the sale. Sir Alfred Munnings (1878-1959) grew up in the deeply rural Waveney Valley in Suffolk, and his childhood was spent sketching the working horses around the family mill. Going on to set up his own studio, the opening decade of the 20th century saw him established himself as an artist painting in rural East Anglia, documenting the countryside and country life, sketching travellers, working horses and the local society in his characteristic impressionistic manner, filled with colour and light. It was only after the First World War that he went on to concentrate on painting horses, becoming the most celebrated equestrian artist of the 20th century.
A good range of traditional Sporting art of offer in the sale includes a rare depiction of a 19th century boxing match - one of the most fascinating works in the sale. It illustrates the match which took place between Carter and Oliver at Gretna Green on 4th October 1816 on the estate of Sir James Maxwell. The stakes were a hefty 100 guineas each, and the contest took place in a 24-foot roped ring in front of approximately 30,000 spectators, leaving the streets around Carlisle empty. Going into the match, Oliver was the favourite to win, but despite rumours of Carter’s lack of prowess, he dominated the fight and came out the victor. Carter was seconded by Painter and Harmer, and Oliver by Cribb and Copper, whose names are painted on the bottom of the frame.
There is also a strong selection of ornithological works by the likes of Archibald Thorburn and John Cyril Harrison.
Further highlights of the sale include The Incredulity of St Thomas by a Follower of Philippe de Champaigne, and a charming depiction of two children inspecting a bird’s nest by Dorothea Sharp.
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Sunday 9th November - Thursday 13th November 11am-3pm, Friday 14th November 8am-3pm, and morning of the sale from 8am
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