Inca with Birds

1933
Lewis, Wyndham
The source for the subject of this painting is W H Prescott's book 'The History of the Conquest of Peru' (1847). Lewis admired Prescott's writing and owned a copy of this particular book, in which Prescott records the Inca tradition for rulers to wear a headdress decorated with feathers from the Corequenque birds. These plumes were reserved exclusively for royal headwear, and anyone caught taking them was sentenced to death. This painting was once owned by the Welsh poet Lynette Roberts. Ann Jones
  • Artwork Details: 67.3 x 54.6cm
  • Edition:
  • Material description: oil on canvas
  • Credit line: © the artist
  • Theme: Figurative
  • Medium: Painting
  • Accession number: ACC4/1959

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The Arts Council Collection is the UK's most widely seen collection of modern and contemporary art.

With more than 8,000 works by over 2,000 artists, it can be seen in exhibitions and public displays across the country and beyond. This website offers unprecedented access to the Collection, and information about each work can be found on this site.