Archibald Thorburn 1860-1935

The Thorburn Museum, Liskeard, Cornwall;
Sotheby's, 31 March 1993, lot 51

John Southern, Thorburn's Landscapes, The Major Natural History Paintings, 1981, p. 52, illus. opp. p. 52

STRUCTURE This watercolour is in excellent original condition with clear colouring throughout. There are no visible damages of signs of staining or foxing. The paper is flat in the mount and the picture is ready to hang. FRAME This picture is contained in a simple modern frame, with a clean mount and under glass.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

'Under a starlit sky a covey of partridge slumbers away a crisp autumn night out in the open; squatting upon the empty stubble, heads out tails in, they await the dawn. One bird on watch, the rest asleep, the night ebbs steadily by. Without warning an owl looms like a ghost out of the mists that cling close to the low lying land and hedgerows. The sentinel sits tight waiting to see which path the intruder will take. Should it swing towards them the look-out will promptly alert its companions, making them ready to scatter lest the intruder be an agressor. But if it slips silently by, the covey will doze on, unaware, apart from the sentinel, of possibly dangers passed.'

'Partridges invariably roost or 'jug' in small coveys out in the open, well away from hedge or cover, and lie close together in a loose circle, heads turned outwards as Thorburn has shown. If disturbed they will scatter in all directions, foiling the intruder as well as avoiding collison amongst themselves.' (Thorburn's Landscape)