Spanish School, Late 17th Century

This unusual pair of 17th century Spanish paintings of birds of the Americas are all the more impressive considering the artist must have been most industrious in their production - having presumably never seen many of the species in their native environment and having to complete the work using descriptions and bird skins. ‘Natura Harmona’ on the left depicts 'harmonious' species, predominantly North American and including: Flickers, Mourning Doves, American Robins and Oropendolas. The second in the pair showing noisier more 'garrulous' birds mainly of the parrot family and of South American origin including: the Scarlet and Green and Red Macaws, the Conure, the Jay, the Magpie and a Royal Mexican Flycatcher (upper right).