Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Painting

-

The Union Club of British Columbia

Barn Owl (Tyto alba), 1972. Watercolour and crayon on paper by William Glen Smith (1923-1993): Note: Image to be replaced

Name/Title

Barn Owl (Tyto alba)

Entry/Object ID

2017.05.01

Description

Painting This image is a study of a Barn Owl (Tyto alba) perched on a stump. It is the most widely distributed species of Owl in the world and one of the most widespread of all species of birds, being found almost everywhere in the world. Ghostly pale and usually strictly nocturnal, Barn Owls are silent and efficient night predators.

Artwork Details

Medium

Watercolour and crayon on paper

Made/Created

Artist Information

Artist

William Glen Smith (1923-1993)

Role

Artist

Date made

1972

Time Period

20th Century

Notes

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY Born in Baldur, Manitoba, William Glenn Smith was a Canadian wildlife biologist and accomplished bird artist. He played an important role in shaping the early foundation on which wildlife and non-game management and protection developed in B.C. He served in the Canadian Army in World War II. After his BA degree, he completed two years work on a Master’s degree before accepting a job with the B.C. Game Commission as a regional game biologist for the Kootenay-Boundary District of southeastern B.C. He later took a promotion first as Assistant Chief of Wildlife Management with the provincial Fish and Wildlife Branch in Victoria and later as Chief. Smith started painting at an early age, probably influenced by his father and later his brother who both painted. Smith painted in watercolour and acrylic as well as hard pencil pastel. He had great photographic recall, and having seen a bird in the field he could later paint it in detail, although he did at times use museum specimens and published illustrations. He retired from government to go into wildlife consulting and to devote more time to his painting.

Inscription/Signature/Marks

Type

Signature, Date

Location

Signed and dated lower right: Glen Smith 72

Dimensions

Dimension Description

Visible image

Height

40 cm

Width

29.5 cm

Acquisition

Acquisition Method

Purchase

Date

Nov 23, 2017

Notes

Kilshaws Lot #155

Relationships

Related Entries

Notes

By William Glen Smith: 2017.05.01 Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) 2017.05.12 Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) 2018.09.02a Hawk I 2018.09.02b Hawk II

Web Links and URLs

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology - Barn Owl