Primroses, Apple Blossom and Bird's Nest

William Henry Hunt was greatly admired for his still life compositions, particularly those depicting birds' nests such as that here. It was this kind of work that resulted in him receiving the nickname ‘Bird’s Nest Hunt’. He tended to paint these works in his studio, working from carefully selected specimens, arranged on freshly dug turf and moss; the composition was then maintained until the painting was finished.