Don Balke (North Carolina, B. 1933) "Cardinal and Peony" Signed lower left. Original Watercolor painting on Illustration Board. Provenance: Collection of James A. Helzer (1946-2008), Founder of Unicover Corporation. This painting is the original painting which was published on the Fleetwood commemorative cover for Balke's Birds and Flowers of the 50 States, cancelled December 11, 1985. Only the Summer Tanager matches the male Cardinal in full red color, but the Tanager lacks the pronounced crest which the Cardinal proudly displays. A black mask, a stout coral red bill, and dark red feet also distinguish the Cardinal from the Tanager. So brilliant is his color that he was named Cardinal for the scarlet robes of a church dignitary. The female's dress is much more subdued. She has an olive-gray back, dull reddish wings and crest, and soft pink-brown underparts. The birds remain together throughout the year, through in the early winter months the bond may be relaxed. The red shoots of Peonies emerging from the ground have signaled spring for generations of flower lovers who look forward to the unforgettable fragrance that is the Peony's pride. The large, usually spring-blooming, single or double flowers commonly range in shades from red to white. The Peony is cited as the earliest known medicinal plant. The name of the flower perpetuates that of Apollo in his character of physician, for as Paeon he healed the wounds the gods received in the Trojan war. From that fact, the early doctors of medicine were known as paeoni. Image Size: 19.25 x 12.75 in. Overall Size: 22 x 21 in. Unframed. (B09867)