Birding by Jamie Wyeth (Interpretation and Analysis)

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Birding
Source: Pintrest
I don’t agree with having outdoor cats, but I do find this painting to be very charming. 

This whimsical painting, entitled Birding, depicts cats—in virtually every possible position (and there are a lot of positions possible for cats)—hunting birds. It doesn’t take itself too seriously. The painting is consciously fanciful; in a nutshell, it’s fun!

The artist, Jamie Wyeth is a member of the famous Wyeth family, and is the son and grandson respectively of celebrated painters Andrew Wyeth and N.C. Wyeth. Although he’s probably not as well known as his relatives, he’s certainly a famous and talented painter in his own right.

Wyeth has a flair for painting animals (in fact, one of his most famous paintings is entitled Portrait of Pig), and that is certainly apparent in Birding. Here, Wyeth uses loose brushstrokes and a painterly style to convey the motion and energy of the cats. Although the scene itself is unrealistic, he succeeds in capturing the fundamental spirit of the cat: relentless curiosity, the instincts of a hunter, and, above all, the innate silliness that makes them so lovable.

Disclaimer: I’m not an art historian or an expert on this topic. The above is my opinion, based on my interpretation of my foreknowledge of art and history. If I’ve done any additional research, I’ll note it above.

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