A Red Squirrel Eating a Nut

Basil Bradley 1842 - 1904

Summary

Study of a red squirrel, sitting on a wide snow laden branch. The animal clasps a nut in its front paws and looks down to the left from the tree. The landscape below is thick with snow, and on the far left, a hamlet of cottages amongst winter trees can be seen. Hills line the horizon and the sky above is dark and overcast; heavy with snow.

Display Label

Manchester Gallery - Focus on Ancoats A Red Squirrel Eating Nuts Basil Bradley 1842-1904 Oil on millboard Red squirrels were once common in the countryside until they were forced out by the grey variety. They would have been completely unknown to most Ancoats residents of the late 19th century. Paintings of animals were shown at Ancoats Museum to introduce children to the experience of nature. Young people represented a new and better future in the eyes of the Museum's founder, TC Horsfall. Bradley was from a Manchester family of artists and retained his local roots after moving to London, where he mostly painted landscapes and animals. Horsfall Museum transfer 1918.434