" AMERICAN GOLDFINCH - WINTER DRESS "
Robert Bateman

950 s/n Paper
7.5" x 6.25"
$495

 

" This painting is a study of two goldfinches in a pine tree, however neither
is as you might expect. The pine has turned from green to orange rust.
This happens naturally as coniferous trees shed their needles. It can
also happen if the tree is strressed. It drops its needles to prevent
water evaporation. Too much stress and the tree dies.

The goldfinches also are in an unexpected form.They are in their winter
plumage. One doesn't usually remember that this dull plumage is just
as much a goldfinch as the bright yellow and black of summer. In some
ways, I prefer the winter feathers. The clean white and yellow against
the soft gray are colors that I find soothing and subtle.

Although this is a little picture, in a way it touches something very important
in my work. The great thing about nature is its variety. It changes not only
from place to place, but with every passing moment. Imagine describing
every single change that took place in one square yard of a meadow
in one year...every change of light and shade and color, all the phyics
and chemisty and biology. Dynamic is the word to describe it! The
works of man are static by comparison. This is why I try to avoid
the stereotype in nature and why I wanted to do the winter
goldfinch in an orange pine."
Robert Bateman

1984 - American Goldfinch - Winter Dress -
Carduelis tristis

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