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Brett Westwood looks at the history of a bird which has become a byword for male beauty. It is all about the tail: inspiration for Darwin, Oscar Wilde and peacocking pop stars.

Brett Westwood looks at the history of a bird which has become a byword for male beauty. It's all about the tail: inspiration for everyone from Darwin to Oscar Wilde, from poets to peacocking pop stars.

In Lancashire, Brett walks among peacocks of every shade and type, and with colour scientist Pete Vukusic explores the secrets of the bird's shimmering, iridescent appeal. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, a natty dresser himself, explains the birds influence on pioneering artist Aubrey Beardsley, and Maan Barua reveals the enduring influence of the bird in its native India - traded as a gift for centuries, and elected as a national symbol following independence.

Revised shortened repeat

Archive Producer Andrew Dawes for 大象传媒 Audio Bristol

Available now

28 minutes

Last on

Sun 13 Dec 2020 06:35

Broadcasts

  • Tue 31 Jul 2018 11:00
  • Mon 6 Aug 2018 21:00
  • Sun 13 Dec 2020 06:35

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