Peter Scott: The Man Who Painted for the Birds

Peter Markham Scott was a talented artist, and his paintings of birds and animals are both scientifically accurate and aesthetically pleasing.

Scott was born in 1909 into a wealthy family. His father was the 1st Baron Kennet, a politician and diplomat. Scott was educated at Eton College and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. After graduating from Sandhurst, he served in the British Army for two years.

In 1932, Scott married Philippa Hunloke. They had two children, a son and a daughter. The family lived at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire, where Scott founded the Severn Wildfowl Trust in 1946. The trust is now one of the largest and most successful wetland conservation organizations in the world.

Scott was a prolific artist, and he painted over 2,000 works of art during his lifetime. His paintings are characterized by their scientific accuracy and their beauty. He often used his paintings to raise awareness of conservation issues. In 1961, he was awarded the Order of Merit for his services to conservation.

In 1946, Scott founded the Severn Wildfowl Trust (now the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust) at Slimbridge, Gloucestershire. The trust was founded to protect the wetland habitat of the Severn Estuary. Scott served as the trust's chairman for the first 25 years of its existence.

The Severn Wildfowl Trust has been very successful in protecting wetland habitats and waterfowl. The trust has helped to restore many wetlands that had been damaged by pollution and development. The trust has also helped to reintroduce endangered species of waterfowl, such as the Bewick's swan.

In 1961, Scott was one of the founders of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). The WWF is an international organization that works to protect endangered species and their habitats. Scott served as the WWF's president for the first five years of its existence.

The WWF has been very successful in raising awareness of conservation issues and in raising funds for conservation projects. The WWF has helped to protect many endangered species, such as the panda, the tiger, and the rhinoceros.

Scott died in 1989 at the age of 80. He was a pioneering figure in the field of conservation, and his work helped to protect many species of birds and animals from extinction. His paintings are still admired today, and they continue to inspire people to care for the natural world.

Some of Scott's most famous paintings include:

The Flight of the Geese (1951): This painting depicts a flock of geese flying over a snow-covered landscape. It is a powerful image of migration and freedom.

Flight of the Geese by Peter Scott painting

The Bewick's Swan (1955): This painting depicts a Bewick's swan, a rare and endangered species. It is a beautiful and haunting image of a bird on the brink of extinction.

Bewick's Swan by Peter Scott painting

The Emperor Penguin (1960): This painting depicts an emperor penguin, the largest species of penguin. It is a striking image of a bird that is perfectly adapted to its harsh environment.

Emperor Penguin by Peter Scott painting

Scott's paintings are not only beautiful, but they also have a conservation message. He believed that art could be used to raise awareness of the plight of endangered species and to inspire people to take action to protect them. His paintings continue to inspire people to care for the natural world today.Scott's art continues to inspire artists, naturalists, and environmentalists to this day. His ability to capture the fleeting moments of birds in flight, their interactions, and their unique characteristics reminds us of the intricate beauty that exists in the natural world. His work encourages us to appreciate the avian inhabitants of our planet and to take collective responsibility for their preservation.