Who painted The Blue Bird about to fly?

The Blue Bird about to fly was painted by Frederick Cayley Robinson in 1911.

Where can I see The Blue Bird about to fly?

The Blue Bird about to fly is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is The Blue Bird about to fly?

The Blue Bird about to fly is associated with Art Nouveau.

Artwork

The Blue Bird about to fly

Frederick Cayley Robinson , 1911

The Blue Bird about to fly is a watercolor work on paper by the Art Nouveau artist Frederick Cayley Robinson. It dates from 1911 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The Blue Bird about to fly is a watercolour piece depicting an intimate indoor scene where two individuals, a woman in a white dotted dress and a man in a dark coat, gently interact with a vibrant blue bird on the verge of flight near a sunlit window.

Subject & Meaning

The subject revolves around a poignant, shared moment between two people and a bird, conveying a sense of calm and tender narrative, inspired by Maurice Maeterlinck’s play *The Blue Bird*.

Technique & Style

Executed in watercolour, the work features delicate illustration-style rendering, with a notable contrast between the bird’s bright blue plumage and the muted tones of the figures’ attire and the simple, wooden-furnished room.

History & Provenance

Originally exhibited in 1911 at the Leicester Galleries as part of a series illustrating *The Blue Bird*, alongside another complementary piece.

Context

Created in response to a literary work, the piece reflects the artist’s interpretive engagement with Maeterlinck’s themes, set within a serene, everyday interior.