W. Milliken (1920 to 2014) Pheasants in Flight. Vintage Brotherton Gallery Sporting Print

Atmospheric vintage sporting print after Robert W. Milliken (1920–2014), the highly regarded Northern Irish wildlife and bird artist, depicting pheasants in flight over a winter woodland landscape.

Milliken was particularly celebrated for his depictions of gamebirds, waterfowl and the Irish and British countryside. A keen ornithologist as well as an artist, his knowledge of birdlife gave his work a distinctive naturalism and sense of movement. His original paintings and watercolours are established on the Irish and British auction market and have been handled by major auction houses.

This particular print has an excellent period gallery association and is clearly marked:

“Copyright – The Brotherton Gallery Limited, Beaminster – Dorset England”

The Brotherton Gallery specialised in traditional and sporting art, and original works by Milliken with Brotherton Gallery provenance have subsequently appeared at major auction, including Christie’s.

The composition is classic Milliken: a beautifully rendered cock pheasant in full flight, accompanied by two further birds crossing a misty winter landscape of bare trees and dense undergrowth.

The restrained blue-grey, teal and cream palette gives the image a particularly attractive, almost watercolour-like appearance and makes it very easy to place in both traditional and contemporary interiors.

Artist: Robert W. Milliken (1920–2014)
Subject: Pheasants in Flight / winter woodland
Medium: Vintage colour print after the original work
Publisher: The Brotherton Gallery Limited, Beaminster, Dorset
Markings: R.W. Milliken signature reproduced within the image and beneath
Presentation: Period mounted, glazed and framed
Frame: Dark wood frame with gilt inner detail
Condition: Vintage condition. There is visible age-related foxing/spotting and some toning to the print, particularly within the lighter sky area. Frame and mount also show signs of age. These have been taken into account in the asking price — please examine the detailed photographs.

A very attractive piece of 20th-century British/Irish sporting art, particularly suited to a country house, study, library, period property or shooting/fishing interior.

The atmospheric winter palette looks especially good against warm woods, olive greens, creams and other natural interior tones.

Collection preferred because the piece is framed and glazed. Delivery can be discussed.