Superb artist who liked to depict birds - especially predatory species - in their natural surroundings

                                                                            

Great skua at nest site - hopefully its own nest!

THE strength of the market for paintings by George Lodge was reflected when this handsome study of a great skua went under the hammer at an auction held in February on the premises of Edinburgh-based Lyon & Turnbull. 

Including the buyer's premium, it sold for £1,134. 

The framed work measures 35.5cm x 55.5cm (14.25in x 21.75in). 

A falconer and taxidermist as well as an artist and ornithologist, Lodge (1860-1954) specialised in raptors and other predatory birds.

He provided many of the illustrations for Pirates and Predators, a book written by his ornithologist-friend, Richard Meinertzhagen.

An exhibition celebrating his life and work opened this week at the Joseph Banks Centre in Horncastle, Lincolnshire, his home county.

Pictured below are the Joseph Banks Centre and some of the hosts and guests who attended Tuesday evening's launch of the Lodge exhibition.