Superb pair of 19th century oil paintings, "Nature Morte" (still life) on (in this case, slightly curved) wooden board, or panel, signed by the artist and in the style of Jean Lin Descamps. I've long collected this type of painting and studied them. They are not, as you might immediately think, hunting paintings. They are more like a little prayer of thankfulness for the bounty of nature which has provided yet one more meal. Typically a painting hung in a rather humble apartment of a single room, or in a kitchen or dining nook, it shows the meagerness of so many 19th century French lives, really. Humble and thankful. They are painted directly on a wooden panel, most often, rather than canvas, and in the trompe l'œil fashion (realistic to fool the eye). This is a complimenting pair, sold together as they were painted. You see the artist's signature on each, but I can't make it out. Full measurements noted on the photos.
Very good to excellent condition for age and type, these paintings are so elegant, the birds are life-size and hang upside down on string tied to a nail, the typical presentation of newly killed food for the evening meal. I've shown the 2 wood panels front, back, and side view so you can see there is a very slight natural curve or warp to the panels. One has a small chip on one end, which I've marked with an x for your review. The oil paintings on each is perfect, no losses there. They're ready to hang as they are (how they were typically hung, no frame) or to frame for a more formal presentation. Rare to have a matching pair! Yes, we know these are not Black Forest, but they are such a compliment to Black Forest carvings, we tag to that category as well as to art.
