Attributed to Abraham Meertens (1747-1823)

This work displays notable stylistic similarities to bird studies attributed to Abraham Meertens found in both private and institutional collections. In particular, the treatment of the plumage, the elegant contouring of the bird, and the restrained coastal setting closely relate to examples sold at auction by Christie’s and to works by Meertens in the collection of the The Metropolitan Museum of Art.

While the attribution remains subject to further research, the present watercolour demonstrates many of the characteristics associated with Meertens’ highly distinctive approach to ornithological subjects.