Spotted Eagle Owlets, No. 7711, Birds of a Feather

2021
Archival Pigment Photograph
36
x
24
in

Signed and editioned on recto. Signed, titled, dated and editioned on certificate of authenticity.

Available in 3 sizes:

18 x 12 inches (edition of 15)

36 x 24 inches (edition of 7)

60 x 40 inches (edition of 5)


In Birds of a Feather, Claire Rosen photographs live birds against opulent, historically inspired backdrops, creating portraits that sit somewhere between natural history, decorative art, and contemporary photography. In Spotted Eagle Owlets No. 7711, the young owls are set against Chinoiserie Damask Textile, a richly decorative backdrop whose patterning creates a sense of intimacy, ornament, and quiet theatricality.

Spotted eagle-owls are known for their expressive yellow eyes, mottled plumage, and alert, watchful presence. Here, the owlets bring a softer and more tender character to the series, their youthful forms and attentive gazes transforming the composition into something that feels both formal and deeply endearing.

Rosen’s process is rooted in patience, close observation, and respect for the birds she photographs. These are not digitally composited images; the artist brings her carefully selected wallpapers and textile backdrops to the birds, photographing them in front of the chosen setting in real time. Rather than forcing a pose, Rosen allows the birds’ natural movements, gestures, and interactions to guide the final image, capturing moments when they appear calm, alert, and fully themselves. The result is a layered meditation on beauty, individuality, and the long human impulse to admire and understand the natural world. In keeping with the spirit of the project, a percentage of the artist’s profits from this work will be donated to benefit raptor conservation.