Loading

Hooded Merganser

Allan Brooks1930/1930

Royal Ontario Museum

Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto, Canada

The Hooded Merganser (Lophodytes cucullatus) male is one of our most striking waterfowl. The painting portrays the male in its natural habitat, secluded wetland ponds and rivers, alongside the somewhat duller female. This striking duck performs elaborate courtship displays that include bobbing, crest-raising, wing-flapping, and ritualized preening. Major Allan Brooks (1869-1920) was Canada’s foremost bird painter in the first half of the twentieth century. Mostly self-taught, he used watercolours for most of his paintings. He was well known for his accurate rendition of Canadian birds and his wonderful depiction of their natural habitat. In 1926, the poet Wallace Havelock Robb presented the Museum with 72 of Brook’s paintings, the largest collection in existence.

Details

Get the app

Explore museums and play with Art Transfer, Pocket Galleries, Art Selfie, and more

Flash this QR Code to get the app
Google apps