M. W. Downes

Naturalistic Cockatoo with Butterfly Painting

1970 s

Charles Frederick de Brocktorff (1775–1850) ‘Camelopard – a present from the Pacha of Egypt to the King – at Malta on its way to England’ Signed and dated C.F. de Brocktorff. / 1827. lower right, inscribed as titled in the painted margins lower centre. Pencil and watercolour heightened with gold paint and gum arabic on paper, 36.8 x 27.9 cm A gift so majestic, it made kings blush, and a gift so grand, it would startle Europe into a craze. Pasha Muhammad Ali of Egypt (1805-1848) did it in 1827: he sent to Europe three magical spotted, horned creatures, each with a neck reaching the skies and legs as long as a house is high. One giraffe to King Charles X of France, one to Francis I of Austria and the most fabled one to King George IV of England. A curious sight for Europeans, who had not seen such a beast since the Medici giraffe in 1487. Few animals created more of a stir in Europe than these royal...

A really charming and skillfully executed study of a chimpanzee by this very talented artist. A most attractive picture which captures the personality and essence of the chimp. Raf...

WILHELM KUHNERT German, 1865 - 1926 NIALAS AT REST signed "Wilhelm Kuhnert" (lower lright) Watercolour on cardboard 11 X 15-3/8 inches (28 X 39 cm.) framed: 16-1/4 X 20-3/4 inches (41.2X 52.5 cm.) PROVENANCE Private Collection, Munich, Germany Private Spanish Collection, Madrid Friedrich Wilhelm Kuhnert (September 18, 1865 – February 11...

Artist: Robin Hill Title: Black Vulture Medium: Watercolor on Paper, signed Paper Size: 58.5 x 39 in. (148.59 x 99.06 cm) Frame size: 74 x 54 inches

A really charming and beautifully executed study of a horse by this very talented artist. A most attractive picture of this noble creature in ready to hang condition Rafael Mckenzi...

Lofty pair of tropical parrot paintings on paper executed in a crisp and colorful ink and watercolor technique, inspired by early naturalist drawings. Presented under glass in gilt w...

At dawn on a beautiful morning, two pheasants take flight out of their roosting cover. Were they flushed out by sudden noise, or are they simply heading out to their feeding areas? T...

English painter (late 19th century) - Landscape with Highland herd at the lake. 102 x 77 cm without frame, 108 x 82 cm with frame. Antique oil painting on canvas, in a gilded woode...

European painter (late 19th century) - Landscape with cows and flock of sheep. 101 x 76 cm. Old oil painting on canvas, unframed (not signed). Condition report: Lined canvas. Good...

European painter (late 19th century) - Landscape with grazing cows. 101 x 76 cm. Old oil painting on canvas, without frame. - Work signed lower right. Condition report: Lined can...