In Cornish legend, King Arthur’s spirit didn’t perish but transformed into the chough (pronounced chuff), a lesser-known member of the corvid family. Its blood-red beak and feet symbolise the King’s final battle. Titled “Pendragon”, this painting honours that royal soul, depicting the bird as the living embodiment of Britain’s “Once and Future King” watching over his coast. Pendragon is Arthur’s surname. Note that the shadow of the beak falls across the body of the bird in the shape of a sword (think excalibur).
The chough is famous in Cornwall and features on the Cornish coat of arms, together with a crown. Although no longer that prevalent in the county, they are being reintroduced. You will be more likely to see a chough on the West coasts of Wales, Scotland, Ireland or the Isle of Man.
this painting is the eighth in my series of UK birds.
Oils on canvas. 100cm x 80cm x 4cm
