Aert Schouman (Dutch, 1710-1792), Three Birds on a Branch

Aert Schouman (Dutch, 1710-1792)Three Birds on a BranchWatercolor on paperSigned lower right: A Schouman 17801780Paper size: 9 3/4 x 13 3/4 inFrame size: 20 1/2 x 25 in Aert Schouman was a prolific artist who specialized in flower painting and engraving on glass but was foremost in natural history painting. After training with F. Greenwood and Adriaen van den Burg, he became a master painter at The Hague in 1748, and three years later, regent of the art academy. By 1762 he had been appointed principal of the academy and included among his pupils the great Dutch flower painter Jan van Os.Schouman was fortunate to receive royal patronage and completed many works for Prince Willem V at the summer palace of Het Loo, at Apeldoorn. The Prince owned a zoological cabinet and a menagerie that contained mammals, snakes, and birds from various parts of the world. However, the eighteenth century’s favorite bird subjects were still live domestic poultry, followed by dead partridges. New breeds were