Flights of Fancy: Birds at Waddesdon
22 May – 27 Oct
House & GroundsFlock to Waddesdon this summer for a celebration of birds. Throughout the Manor, Aviary and Gardens discover a range of bird-themed exhibitions, events and activities for all the family.
Flights of Fancy is a rare chance for bird enthusiasts and art lovers alike to explore this beautiful subject through our birds and remarkable displays of porcelain, paintings, drawings and prints.
In the Manor
The exhibition features the life and work of the recently rediscovered Louis-Denis Armand (1723-1796), a painter at the world-famous Sèvres porcelain manufactory. Widely acknowledged as the most talented bird painter at Sèvres, his birds were initially ‘flights of fancy’, drawn from his wild imagination but as time went on, they gained ornithological accuracy. He also drew exotic birds from life, picking and choosing elements to combine and exaggerate.
Highlights
Madame de Pompadour’s pot-pourri vase is reunited with her snuffbox, for the first time since the 18th century.
See over 30 drawings by Armand from private collections that enabled the rediscovery of his identity and that have never been publicly displayed before now. Find out more in our short film A Painter of Birds
As if the birds have broken free, there are a series of interventions throughout the Manor by paper artist Andy Singleton, responding to the collections, the Aviary and Armand’s art.
Highlights
Don’t miss overhearing the Mynahs in the Aviary, who mimic the sounds they hear. The Common Hill Mynahs at Waddesdon can often be heard saying “hello”, beeping like a truck and laughing heartily.
Tell it to the Birds by Jenny Kendler is a contemporary multisensory art installation, located at the Aviary, which invites you to tell a secret to the birds and hear your words translated into birdsong!
In the Gardens
This summer our carpet bedding brings to life Armand’s artistry. Inspired by Flights of Fancy, our gardens team have designed the carpet bedding at the Parterre and the Aviary to translate a drawing of two orioles into a bed of succulents. Perched nearby are the impressive 3D birds, who are showing off their wonderful fancy plumage.
Bird-themed Events and Activities
Wed 29 – Fri 31 May, 31 July & 28 Aug, 2pm – 3:45pm
Join us at the introductory “meet the Keeper talk” at the Aviary and then follow us for special behind the scenes access to see all that is involved with the running of a modern zoological collection at the Aviary. Advance booking is recommended. Kids go free.
Sat 8 Jun, 1-2.45pm
Join us for a 45 minute talk where Hamza Yassin will present ‘My Life Behind the Lens’., exploring his love of all things in the natural world and wildlife in all its glory. The gifted cameraman, photographer, writer, and presenter will also be on hand for a personalised book signing of his latest book ‘Be a Birder’. Book tickets now.
Coming soon is a Waddesdon Bird Spotting Guide to be available from our new Conservation Hub which opens in June. See what birds you can spot on your walk around the grounds.