Edouard-Aimé Pils (1823-1850) – IMS Photography https://ims.photography Ian Malpass-Scott Sun, 17 Aug 2025 19:20:22 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.1 A Dead Bittern https://ims.photography/2024/05/12/a-dead-bittern/ Sun, 12 May 2024 18:36:00 +0000 https://blog.ims.photography/?p=1327 This still life of a dead game-bird shows Pils’ skilled brushwork in the delicate portrayal of its plumage.

Hanging by its left foot, the head and body are supported by a surface covered in red cloth and the wings have fallen open to reveal their patterning.

Hunting and habitat loss has caused the bittern, a reclusive heron-like bird, to become exceedingly rare.

Shadows showing through the surface reveal that this work was painted on top of another. It is possible to make out a full-length inverted study of a nude man, his feet coinciding with the bird’s left foot.

Object description
Type: Easel painting
Location: Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle, County Durham
Material: Oil on canvas
Artist: Edouard-Aimé Pils (1823-1850)
Date: 1848

Image Details
Date: 12 May 2024
Camera body: iPhone Xs
Lens: Telephoto Camera 52mm ƒ/2.4
Focal Length: 52mm
Aperture: ƒ/2.4
Shutter Speed: 1/33s
ISO: 1000
Licensing: Image of a Bowes Museum asset. This image cannot be licensed.

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