Prototype

1959, oil on board, 41 x 56cm

This is another from Sir David Scott's collection. Tunnard's ledger merely states "blue bird", but almost certainly the painting also reflects Tunnard's fascination with science, in this case the development of powerful new aircraft.

The subtle gradations of blue also demonstrate how effective Tunnard could be as a colourist. Michael Canney, then curator of the Passmore Edwards Gallery at Newlyn in Cornwall, captured the mood of the work like this in a 1959 article for "Discovery" with his comment that "...[Tunnard's] shapes are eminently contemporary and this explains the appeal of his pictures to the scientist, engineer and architect."