Bibliograph

The quintessential bird, the art of Betty Temple Watts, Viola Temple Watts

Type

Label

The quintessential bird, the art of Betty Temple Watts, Viola Temple Watts

Language

eng

resource.biographical

contains biographical information

resource.governmentPublication

federal national government publication

Illustrations

portraitsillustrations

Index

index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The quintessential bird

Responsibility statement

Viola Temple Watts

Series statement

Portfolio series

Sub title

the art of Betty Temple Watts

Summary

Betty Temple Watts (1901-1992) developed an interest in birds in her early married life while living in Iran and Papua New Guinea. Although she had studied art formally as a nineteen year old, it was not until she was 48, and settled in Melbourne, that she decided to immerse herself in her bird art. Betty spent much of her time practising drawing, but was constantly critical of the results. In spite of her harsh self-judgement, others had a high opinion of her skill and, in 1952, she received her first commission, going on to provide bird illustrations for numerous publications until she was in her late eighties. The Quintessential Bird allows readers a glimpse into Betty's joyous world of birds. This is followed by the plates, reproduced in full along with 60 close-ups of individual birds

Classification