Who painted Derbyan Parakeet?

Derbyan Parakeet was painted by Unknown in 1808.

Where can I see Derbyan Parakeet?

Derbyan Parakeet is held by Victoria and Albert Museum.

What movement is Derbyan Parakeet?

Derbyan Parakeet is associated with Patna School of Painting.

Artwork

Derbyan Parakeet

Unknown , 1808

Derbyan Parakeet is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1808 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.

About this work

Overview

The work depicts a vivid green Derbyan parakeet perched on a branch, its red bill and elongated tail highlighted against an unadorned white surface. Executed on imported English Whatman paper, the piece reflects the detailed brushwork that gives the bird a lifelike appearance despite its flat medium.

Subject & Meaning

The painting presents an exotic avian species that fascinated British naturalists and the wider public during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. By rendering the parakeet in isolation, the image emphasizes the bird’s distinctive coloration and form, catering to contemporary curiosity about far‑off wildlife.

Technique & Style

Created on high‑quality Whatman paper, the artwork employs fine brushstrokes to render individual feathers and subtle shading. The stark white background isolates the subject, a common compositional choice in Chinese‑produced bird paintings intended for European collectors, allowing the vivid plumage to dominate the viewer’s attention.

History & Provenance

The picture was produced in Canton (now Guangzhou), the principal Chinese port authorized for European trade in the eighteenth century. It belongs to a broader category of mass‑produced bird illustrations made in China for British patrons, who often acquired such works as souvenirs of exotic fauna encountered through travel and trade.

Context

During the period, British botanists and natural historians cultivated a keen interest in foreign species, a trend that filtered into popular culture. Travelers returning from abroad frequently brought back visual records of birds, and Chinese workshops responded by supplying affordable, detailed paintings that satisfied European demand for natural history imagery.