Here’s a NZ landscape painter from the 19th Century with a sense of humour: Trevor Lloyd. (Do you see it?) The Auckland Art Gallery apparently has a huge collection of his work, but rarely let it see the light of day.
About this one they say:
Made for the enjoyment of his family, this unique fantasy painting is one of Lloyd's most ambitious works. The last giant moa has fallen, its body watched over by a gathering of native birds and patupaiarehe, mythic Maori fairy folk. The cacophony of squawks and cries is almost audible. Lloyd captures the personalities of the various birds: the pukeko, a little stand-offish, looks on inquisitively; the gregarious kea shares the news with a late arrival still in flight; and the kakapo, notoriously shy and retiring, sits on the outer edge of the group. ('Enduring Nature: Hoki Atu Hoki Mai,' 2004)
There looks like a head on the mid left, and midsection above the blue bird a skull can be imagined. Or I'm mad.
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