As described on the Balfour Library website at http://www.zoo.cam.ac.uk/library/webbsmith.html we own well over 500 magnificent original water colour paintings of African and Indian
birds and scenes by Christopher Webb Smith (1796-1871). They were presented to
the Museum of Zoology by Mrs. Frances H. Atkinson, the wife of the Master of
Clare College, in March 1903.
A few weeks ago I finally got to see one of the bound volumes of the Webb Smith paintings which is stored at the University Library because it is absolutely huge (elephant folio size or larger) and we do not have space, or the proper environmental conditions for it in the Balfour Library.
Cape birds, flowers and
scenery was produced between 1839 and 1859. It consists of 56 original water colours mostly signed and dated by Webb Smith.
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| The pencil was added to give some idea of the scale of the book. It measures around 70cm tall! |
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| Bookplate. Most of the books originally donated to the Museum were moved into the Library at a later date. |
The title page itself is very impressive with beautiful colours and detail.
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Cape birds, flowers and scenery is written on the urn.
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One of my favourites depicts woodpeckers chasing insects on a tree.
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| Complete painting. |
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| Close up up of the birds. |
When you look closely you can see the fine pencil drawings beneath the paint.
This is my absolute favourite because I love kingfishers and it shows the Indian background scenery better - see how the water colours are so vibrant, they leap off the page.
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| Complete painting. |
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| Close up of the birds. |
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| I think the whites have been done very skillfully and beautifully. |
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I had a great time photographing these - they certainly attracted a lot of attention in the Manuscripts Reading Room! We are extremely lucky to own such magnificent items.
