Archibald Thorburn F.Z.S 1860-1935. Scottish School. Pencil Study of a Woodcock. Graphite on wove paper laid onto backing card, some age related discoloration and light foxing to no real detriment. 15 by 19 cms.
A son of the eminent Victorian portrait miniaturist Robert Thorburn; Archibald Thorburn studied at St John's Wood School of Art. With further study under the German wildlife illustrator Joseph Wolf. He firmly established his reputation after producing 268 watercolours for Thomas Powys's Coloured Figures of the Birds of the British Isles (1887). Friends with the eminent bird illustrators of the day GE Lodge and JG Millais he collaborated with them on numerous avian and natural history projects.
Widely regarded as the foremost illustrator of Natural History of his time, he was a regular exhibitor at the Royal Academy, designing the first Christmas card for the Royal Society of the Protection of Birds in 1899, a practice he continued until the year of his death in 1935. Thorburn was also the vice-president of the society