#selborne

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And the third roundel depicts a cat, a squirrel, and a hare.

‘The powers of its wing were wonderful....’ 🦉By no means an expert at identifying different species of birds, I get confused trying to identify artists’ depictions: it’s like looking through a filter. It’s even more confusing when birds are known by different names, although in this case I can go back to the original source for the illustration: Gilbert White’s Natural History of Selborne. This is a Nightjar (Caprimulgus)- apparently also known as a Fern Owl, Goatsucker and Goat Milker. The drawing is by John Nash and was first published in 1951 as a black and white line engraving, then in 1972 with lithographed colour added. Nash told a friend that he was ‘hatched off’ with all the detailed cross-hatching. The open-beaked pose catching a fly 🪰 appears over 100 years earlier in a drawing by John Thompson (after Thomas Bewick) for a Victorian edition of Gilbert White’s book. It illustrates a letter written in 1771: “DEAR SIR,—On the twelfth of July I had a fair opportunity of contemplating the motions of the caprimulgus, or fern-owl, as it was playing round a large oak that swarmed with Scarabai solstitiale or fern-chafers. The powers of its wing were wonderful, exceeding, if possible, the various evolutions and quick turns of the swallow genus. But the circumstance that pleased me most was, that I saw it dis- tinctly, more than once, put out its short leg while on the wing, and, by a bend of the head, deliver somewhat into its mouth. If it takes any part of its prey with its foot, as I have now the greatest reason to suppose it does these chafers, I no longer wonder at the use of its middle toe, which is curiously furnished with a serrated claw.” Looking forward to the John Nash exhibition at @townergallery later this spring. #johnnash #gilbertwhite #naturalhistory #fernowl #nightjar #selborne #johnthompson #thomasbewick @gilbertwhiteoc (at Brighton and Hove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CNW8Aiol6TT/?igshid=ul7cg6fgbfre

Images from: Gilbert White's The natural history & antiquities of Selborne & A garden kalendar.  London : S.T. Freemantle, 1900. Call Number: QH138 .S4 W353 1900 Catalog record: https://bit.ly/2PaI4lm

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View from Noar Hill, Selborne, UK | July 2018

My obsession with the writings and life of Gilbert White continues. I never fail to be fascinated by how many Modern British artists have been inspired to make illustrations or design covers by White’s writings on his village. These are two jackets designed by Charles Stewart in 1950 for the Falcon Press. I love the Gothick touch of the first with White’s tricorn hat and cane propped up against the stone, with a macabre skull and a fallen finial. White’s own grave is much less grand: a little stone around the back of the church with just the letters G.W. and a date. The other features about 25 different kinds of birds mentioned by White. Stewart (1915-2001) was a talented book illustrator. Born in the Philippines, as a child he was sent to live with an uncle and nursemaid in a rambling Gothic pile in Scotland called Shambellie House, which he later inherited himself. It had a huge impact on his imagination. He illustrated various Dickens and other Victorian novels with macabre details, collected costume and costume illustrations, was a conscientious objector and later co-principal of Byam Shaw School of Art. A lifelong Batchelor, he left Shambellie and his extensive costume collections to @nationalmuseumsscotland , (I’m not sure what happened to Rosie his articulated dummy which he lent to Pietro Annigoni as a stand-in for the Queen when painting his famous portrait.) #gilbertwhite #charlesstewart #illustration #book #bookstagram #instabook #selborne @gilbertwhiteoc (at Brighton and Hove) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMOxCjvlTQy/?igshid=hoiap101fjqt