Limited Masterworks Wall Painting Flamingos

Flamingos are truly idiosyncratic creatures. Their striking plumage, initially grey, turns to luminous shades of pink. They inhabit the, for most other animals, forbidding salt lakes of Africa but are also to be encountered in central and south America as well as in Asia. And, of course, they have such long thin legs, using them to calmly and elegantly coast along and capable of standing on just one when the time comes to take a nap.
The wall painting's narrow upright format mirrors the lankiness of the creatures depicted. Decorating the piece first involves applying a luminescent turquoise ground. The plumage acquires its unmistakeable range of pinks and reds by brushing a dedicated inglaze porcelain paint on by hand and firing it onto the porcelain separately. Overglaze paints are then used to bring out points of fine detail, whilst lustre paint, a special overglaze paint similar to glossy gold, is used to create glistening reflections on the surface of the water.
The flamingo has played a part in art history ever since ancient times, both on account of its singular appearance and due to the positive attitude and the elegance attributed to it. Its silhouette has been immortalised in the consummate hieroglyphs from the pre-dynastic period of ancient Egypt, in which it is dedicated to the sun god Ra. Images of this elegant, sophisticated bird are also to be found adorning a number of vases modelled during this period in history, moreover. Similarly, its well-nigh aristocratic elegance and distinctive plumage are greatly cherished in present-day art, and have led to its becoming a popular motif there.