Charles Livingston Bull Watercolor Wildlife Illustration "Wild Turkeys"

Item Details

Charles Livingston Bull (New Jersey; 1874 – 1932)
Wild Turkeys, early 20th century
Ink, charcoal and watercolor painting on illustration board
Signed to the lower left
Title is inscribed to the verso

An early 20th century watercolor painting on paper titled Wild Turkeys by listed wildlife artist and illustrator Charles Livingston Bull (New Jersey; 1874 – 1932). The work depicts a truncated view of three wild turkeys flying out of a stylized pine tree. The piece is signed to the lower left and the title is inscribed to the verso. The composition is mounted within matting and presented unframed.

Charles Livingston Bull is best known for his realistic wildlife illustrations. He acquired his artistic training in his hometown at the Mechanic’s Institute, Rochester, where he associated with artist Harvey Ellis and conjunctively created the Rochester Arts & Crafts Society. Subsequently, he became a taxidermist at the National Museum in Washington, D.C., where he specialized in zoological anatomy, refining his technique as a meticulous animal illustrator. From many publications and advertisement illustrations, it is noteworthy to emphasize his famous Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus poster the Leaping Tiger, created in 1920. His oeuvre has been exhibited in various private and public institutions including the National Academy of Design, the Society of Mural Painters, and the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

Condition

- teras and loss throughout acetate protective cover; edge wear, minor toning, varying rubbing and stains throughout the matting; minor tape residues along the margins of illustration board; minor toning and negligible rubbing throughout the composition.

Dimensions

- measures the matting; sight size 15.25" W x 19.25" H.

Item #

18DCC770-027