Lapwing
- Artist: Michael Warren
- Date: 1973
- Medium: Lithograph on paper
- Dimensions: image: 508 x 257 mm
- Museum: Tate Britain
- Collection record: Tate Britain website
Listen to the free audio guide
About this artwork
This is the “Lapwing” by Michael Warren. Created in 1973 as a lithograph on paper, the print captures a lively lapwing—an unmistakable black‑and‑white bird with its distinctive up‑turned tail—against a backdrop that hints at springtime plants. The artist, born in 1938, was working in a period when printmaking was being revisited as a vibrant medium for contemporary themes, and this piece reflects that energetic, observational style.
The work was presented to the Institute of Contemporary Prints in 1975 by Curwen Studio, bringing it into a collection that highlights both traditional and modern British prints. You’ll notice the crisp lines and subtle shading that give the bird a sense of movement, almost as if it’s in mid‑flight across a field. The background flora, though simplified, suggests a natural setting, adding context to the bird’s habitat.
Warren’s attention to detail and choice of subject underscore his interest in everyday wildlife, turning an ordinary bird into a striking visual study. The piece is part of a temporary “Birds” display running until June 2026, which showcases a range of depictions from different periods, allowing visitors to compare styles and techniques. This print, with its clear lines and precise execution, offers a quiet but powerful glimpse into the world of the lapwing and the broader theme of nature in contemporary British art.
See it in person
Lapwing is in the collection of Tate Britain on Millbank, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
