Description
A striking contemporary wildlife painting by British artist John A. McLaughlin, depicting a magnificent peacock perched upon the branch of a willow tree.
The bird dominates the composition, its richly patterned plumage rendered with considerable attention to detail. Deep blues, emerald greens and flashes of golden ochre contrast beautifully with the softer silver-grey feathers of the wings. The long tail cascades diagonally through the painting, punctuated by the characteristic jewel-like eyes of the peacock’s feathers.
McLaughlin sets the highly detailed bird against a much looser, almost abstract background. Layers of turquoise, pale blue, lime and yellow-green are drawn vertically through the surface, suggesting hanging willow foliage while giving the work a distinctly contemporary decorative quality.
The contrast between the carefully observed peacock and the expressive background gives the painting considerable presence.
