Duck and Bird, both with Wings Extended - Jean-Baptiste Oudry

A detailed zoological study by Jean-Baptiste Oudry, capturing a duck and a smaller bird with wings extended in ink and watercolour.

Jean-Baptiste Oudry, a painter and draughtsman active in the French Rococo period, produced a vast body of work documenting the natural world. This study captures two avian subjects in mid-motion, their wings fully extended as if caught in a moment of flight or display. Oudry, who served as a painter to Louis XV, frequently observed animals at the Menagerie of Versailles, which allowed him to develop a precise understanding of anatomy and movement.

The composition is sparse, focusing entirely on the physical form of the birds against a neutral paper background. The artist employs delicate ink outlines to define the structure of the feathers and the curve of the necks, while light washes of watercolour provide subtle volume and colour. The duck, positioned in the upper portion of the sheet, displays a muted palette of greys and browns. Below it, a smaller bird features a distinct pinkish hue on its breast, providing a contrast to the more subdued tones of its companion.

Oudry’s approach to these studies is observational rather than decorative. He avoids unnecessary background elements, ensuring the viewer focuses on the mechanics of the birds' postures. The work reflects the eighteenth-century interest in natural history and the systematic classification of species. By isolating these subjects, Oudry creates a clear record of their features, useful for his larger compositions involving hunting scenes or animal portraits. The paper shows signs of age, including minor foxing and discolouration, which adds to the character of the original document. This print preserves the lightness of the original ink and wash technique, offering a view into the working methods of a master of animal painting.