Roland Green: Capturing Life and Motion in Ornithological Art

Roland Green (1890–1972) was a British wildlife artist and illustrator renowned for his ability to portray birds in fluid, expressive movement. Unlike many of his contemporaries who relied heavily on preserved specimens, Green worked primarily from life, spending countless hours observing birds in the wetlands and woodlands of Norfolk, England.

A Vision Formed in the Field

Green’s deep immersion in wild landscapes gave his illustrations a distinctive vitality. Whether portraying waterfowl in rapid flight or parrots poised mid-call, his artworks combine anatomical precision with a painter’s sensitivity to atmosphere and motion. This dual mastery made his plates valuable both for scientific study and for decorative appreciation.

Contributions to The Birds of Australia

Roland Green played a significant role in the later volumes of Gregory M. Mathews’ monumental series The Birds of Australia. His dynamic style offered a fresh counterpoint to the more traditional compositions of artists such as John Gerrard Keulemans and Henrik Grönvold, adding emotional depth and visual variety to the collection.

Red-collared Lorikeet — Roland Green	Red-mantled Parrot & Yellow-cheeked Parrot — Roland Green
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo — Roland Green	Western Purple Kingfisher — Roland Green

An Artist for Collectors and Interiors

Today, Green’s prints appeal not only to ornithological collectors but also to interior designers seeking artworks that blend elegance with movement. His illustrations capture the balance between structure and wildness—making them ideal for living rooms, studios, offices, and curated interiors.

Owning an original Roland Green lithograph is more than an aesthetic choice: it is a tribute to field observation, artistic discipline, and the enduring beauty of the natural world.

Explore More from The Birds of Australia

Discover the artistic ecosystem surrounding Roland Green:

• Gregory M. Mathews — The visionary behind the project
• H. Goodchild — Early illustrator of the series
• J.G. Keulemans — Classic ornithological precision
• H. Grönvold — Refined balance of detail and elegance