A peacock displaying its vibrant, iridescent tail feathers in a lush, wooded environment. The peacock butterfly mirrors the peacock’s eye-like markings, emphasising a connection between the two. Its presence highlights natural harmony, reflecting Thorburn’s detailed approach to wildlife.

'of all his pictures...the most daring was a gigantic one...of a peacock in full display in front of a red rhododendron in full bloom; a gorgeous sunset and woodland as the background and, in the bottom lefthand corner, a peacock butterfly. My memory may be at fault as regards to the details, but I remember the whole as a riot of colour; it was in no way dipleasing but was both magnificent and accurate'
— Hugh S. Gladstone, Scottish Nationalist, Archibald Thorburn obituary, January 1936.