Australian Parrots - Vintage Travel Poster by James Northfield

If you are looking for an image that captures the spirit of the Australian bush or outback, this engaging art print by the legendary James Northfield may be just the thing. Brimming with colour and detail, Northfield renders Australia's most unique and loved birds into a lively compostion where the human subjects, drab by comparison to thir avian counterparts, take a distant second place in the backgound! The design reflects Australia's growing recognition of it's unique wildlife in the 1930s and 1940s and a widespread popular fascination with native parrots which appeared often in advertising and trademarks of the period.

On show is the Suplhur-Crested Cockatoo, the Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella and a flock of Galahs in the backgound. A landscape reminiscent of the Murray river is shown in the distance. Anyone with experience of the raucous calls of these birds and the vivid streaks of colour as they speed through the trees, will find this poster uniquely evocative of the Austalian outdoors.

© All Northfield images courtesy of James Northfield Heritage Art Trust
Text © Vintage Portfolio

Vintage Portfolio is Australia's leading producer of vintage travel posters and advertising posters from the 1930s, 1940s and beyond. The collection includes key designs by James Northfield, Australia's best-loved graphic artist of the era. We also carry a collection of modern subjects which lovingly revive the charm of 20th Century art and design.