MAGNIFICENT WATERCOLOUR OF A VERREAUX'S EAGLE

Painting. Fine. Framed. John Cyril Harrison (1898-1985) A monumental watercolour of a Verreaux's Eagle with outstretched wings on a rocky outcrop with the Dragensburg mountains stretching away into the distance. This was certainly a painting that pleased Harrison as, at some point, in the 1960s it hung on his studio wall (see attached image). Signed lower right. Very large, the painting measuring 940 x 610 mm (37" x 24"). Gilt frame with double acid-free mount, overall dimension1,160 x 810mm. Condition is excellent, very light wear to the frame. Harrison, later in his career spent much time in Africa particularly focusing on the birds of prey. An undoubted favourite species was Verreaux's Eagle of the Dragensburg Mountains. (Also known in Southern Africa as the Black Eagle, though this name usually refers to another unrelated species from south and southeast Asian.) We are aware of at least six other paintings featuring Verreaux's Eagle, two of which are very closely related to this painting. Whether this was Harrison exploring variations on a common theme for his own sake, or in response to demand for similar compositions is unknown. (for details of these other paintings please contact us). The strength of this particular painting of a Verreaux's eagle is its simplicity: the magnificence of the eagle and its imposing nature before the grandeur of the Dragensburg mountains. Nothing else. BIOGRAPHY. John Cyril Harrison (1898-1985), affectionately known as 'Jack' is best known for his drawings and paintings of birds. He was educated at the Slade School after World War I and carved out a career as an ornithological artist and illustrator, based on his study of avian anatomy as well as well as regular field trips throughout the UK but particularly in Scotland. He spent some time with the Naturalist Seton Gordon, producing numerous studies of Golden Eagles at the eyries. Later he travelled to Iceland, South Africa, East Africa and Central Africa. While in Africa he concentrated on the birds of prey. J. C. Harrison was one of the most popular artists at the major sporting galleries and in particular, The Tryon Gallery, where his exhibitions were eagerly awaited. Many of his paintings were so sought after, that collectors had to place their names in a hat, in order to compete for the pictures they wanted. A great admirer of Thorburn and Lodge, Harrison lived in Norfolk for many years. He was closely associated with the Norfolk Naturalist's Trust, and donated the artwork for their Christmas cards for nearly fifty years. He was the recognised master of portraying birds in flight. Writing about his technique he noted 'I have been asked "How is it possible to draw a bird in flight accurately and make it look as it if is flying?". I never copy photographs.Birds in flight can only be drawn from memory. The eye must be trained to a high pitch.catching the bird's position in the fraction of a second and reflecting it in the mind until it can be drawn. After much practice and a thorough knowledge of the bird itself, it is possible to hold the most difficult attitudes of flight in the mind indefinitely. But first one must be a master of drawing, have exceptional powers of observation and a thorough and complete knowledge of the bird to be drawn, its form, anatomy and habits. Above all one must be gifted with a profound feeling for the rhythm of flight, and power of movement' ['A Bird Artist on his Job.' Country Life, October 12, 1945] And exceptionally gifted he was; his ability to drawn birds in flight so convincingly was all the more remarkable considering that it was achieved without technological assistance; later artists were able to study freeze frame footage. 'Jack' Harrison was a prolific painter and active until the last year of his life. 0.