Still Life with Bird's Nest

Hardwick is recognised as an important watercolour painter and expert in the genre of Still Life and Flower Painting, which were popular subjects and in great demand during the 19th century. The image consists of an engaging still life made up of a leafy bank, birds nest, eggs, primroses and blossom. It illustrates the beauty of nature and the power this subject held in Victorian art and their society. The watercolour displays the stipple technique and is an accomplished and good example of its type. The Collection was looking for a good quality work of this type to demonstrate the history and development of the medium of watercolour.