Artwork
Pheasants on a table
Pheasants on a table is a watercolor work on paper by the Contemporary Abstract artist Matthew Smith. It dates from 1958 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Pheasants on a table is a watercolour painting created by Matthew Smith in 1958, bearing the artist's signature and believed to be his last work. It depicts a simple, everyday scene with two pheasants placed on a table.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the painting is straightforward: two pheasants on a table, with the birds predominantly rendered in brown and white, accented with red on their faces. A green tablecloth and a possible underlying napkin or second cloth are also shown. The background suggests foliage through expressive, wavy lines in green and brown.
Technique & Style
Executed in watercolour, the painting showcases Smith's use of soft, blended brushstrokes to achieve a light, airy effect. The overall execution is characterized by loose, uneven strokes, imparting a sense of spontaneity and informality to the work.
History & Provenance
Dated 1958 and signed by the artist, Pheasants on a table is identified as Matthew Smith's final artwork. Further details on its provenance are not provided.
Artist & collection
Artist
Matthew Smith painted two watercolors you can see here—Nursing Mother around 1915 and Pheasants on a Table in 1958—quiet scenes that let shapes and colors do the talking.
