The Bird Art of William T. Cooper

Shortlisted, 2024 Queensland Literary Awards, The Courier-Mail People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award

The Bird Art of William T. Cooper showcases the extraordinary talent of William T. Cooper, widely regarded as a master painter of birds. Known for his work in bird monographs, Cooper also created numerous individual paintings, particularly inspired by species such as birds of paradise, cockatoos, and hornbills. These paintings, often expansive, feature a broad technique for the backgrounds reminiscent of his early days as a landscape and seascape artist. This approach allowed for the depiction of bird behaviour, partially concealed subjects, and more of their natural habitats as compared to the vignettes in monographs. The book includes these artworks alongside many sketches, most of which have never been published before.

Cooper's art was a harmonious blend of sketches, visions, and memories, crafted until he achieved the desired effect. He didn't aim for a perfect replication of a scene; instead, he adjusted compositions by shuffling, deleting, or including elements while highlighting the crucial interplay of light and shade. Every botanical and zoological detail was rendered with precision, akin to the demands of a portrait painter, ensuring anyone familiar with the subject would detect no errors. A romantic at heart, Cooper adored capturing the splendour of nature, embracing both its beauty and imperfections.

In The Bird Art of William T. Cooper, readers are introduced to a diverse array of birds, categorised by their broad habitats, ranging from Australia to Africa, India, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, and the Americas.