Bizarre pose and coloration, but there's something fascinating about 'earliest' British painting of a Wryneck

 

Clearly a Wryneck (just look at that tongue), but are the two insects also identifiable?

IS this the earliest ever painting of a Wryneck by a British artist?

It is attributed to George Edwards (1694-1773) - sometimes described as the 'father of British Ornithology'.

However, the London-based bird artist  travelled extensively in Europe so it is by no means certain that his study is based on a sighting in Britain.

The pencil, watercolour and gouache study, which measures 27.3cm x 22cm (10¾ x 8¾in), came  into focus earlier this month when it was due to go under the hammer at a sale of Old Masters, British and European Paintings in Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Auction  house Woolley and Wallis had hoped bidding would surpass £1,000, but it failed to reach its reserve price and was withdrawn, probably to a sale at a later date.