Archibald Thorburn - Artist

Archibald Thorburn was born in Edinburgh in 1860 and enjoyed painting flowers, birds and animals from very early on in life. He specialised in the study of birds and had vast knowledge of ornithology. He made a large contribution to the Lord Lilford magisterial survey, published in 1885 and again in 1898, entitled 'Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Isles' which firmly established his reputation. At the age of twenty he held his first exhibition with the Royal Academy and exhibited regularly between the 1880's and 1890's. His highly regarded reputation led to three requests from his contemporaries to paint Queen Victoria. Archbald Thorburn's scientific observational skills, artistic talent and mastery in the use of watercolours led him to be recognised as one of the leading artists of his era. He continued to paint up until his death in 1935.

© 2007 www.artist.co.uk