The Parrot in Art (well I've got to write about something)

Is it just me or has anyone else noticed how often the parrot

crops up in portraiture? 

 Or is it, perhaps, that I really

ought to get out more instead of spending my evenings,

when not stitching, trawling obsessively through works of

art on the internet in search of something both interesting

and entertaining with which to amuse you.

And it's not a recent thing either.  The parrot Alice dear,

not my nocturnal trawling activities.  Good old Polly has been

playing a leading role in works of art throughout the centuries,

through fashions and fads and, it would seem, is equally at

home alongside a recumbent nude as she is perched between two

well-scrubbed children of who knows what intent.

Further detailed research (how sad is that?) has led me to discover,

in an obscure, ancient classic penned by none other than Macrobius,

yes THE Macrobius, that Julius Caesar after he had defeated Mark

Anthony at the battle of Actium was spoken to by a parrot who is

alleged to have said "Hail Caesar, conqueror and leader." and in

Latin too.  One wonders what he was smoking at the time?

This story was then, apparently, handed down through history, 

goodness knows why, until by the Middle Ages "Ave Caesar" had

been turned into "Ave Maria".  It's all a bit far-fetched really

especially when you're supposed to then stretch the point even

further and believe that the parrot's words contain a coded

prophecy of the Virgin birth of Christ!

During the Renaissance these pricey ornamental birds were the

status symbol of the day and, as can be seen from the accompanying

pictures, could be worn on either the left or the right hand according

to personal preference.  What's more in Holland two parrots were

the avian equivalent of the possession of rare tulip bulbs in terms

of a demonstration of wealth.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries painted parrots became fraught

with erotic meaning, because they had once symbolised Eve,

and were used to depict sexual lust and longing.  Hence the

plethora of paintings during that period of big busted old tarts

laying about with their kit off.  It had a similar effect on some of

the blokes too (see above).

It has transpired that thankfully I'm not alone, as I once thought,

in my parrot odyssey as a few years ago The Barber Institute in

Birmingham played host to an exhibition called "The Parrot in Art"

which was the brainchild of Richard Verdi it's director and a

distinguished art historian and parroteer.  And here's the best bit

-  he dedicated the exhibition to the memory of his late lamented

pair of parrots Mr Lily and Mr Lotte.

And now I'm all parroted out you'll be delirious to hear.

No I'm not.  Zitella has just reminded me that I have forgotten
Polly Wright's parrot of Deerfield.  Just visit their site if
you want to know more .....