This one is a thrill of color and brushstroke. Magnificent 19th century "Nature Morte" or still life painting with crow, matchbook, pipe, pottery jug and a newspaper. One wonders at the significance of each, but the overall composition and palette is just superb. I've shown the signature, bottom left, "R. Picard". Lots of enlargement detail of areas of this one so you can see the use of color, stroke, palette knife and light and shadow. I feel like this one tells a story but I can't tell you the artist's intent. Perhaps political. Perhaps just the urge to paint the items on hand. Look at that tail of the crow - so much color within the black feathers - an iridescent shimmer. Of interest, it is tight on its old wood stretcher, c.1890-1920, a gesso-coated panel of course canvas, almost like burlap. Very interesting and in excellent condition to hang as it is or to frame.
Very good to excellent old painting, no holes, no tears, that thick impasto use of oil paint fully intact. I love this one - an example of one that can, as an antique oil painting, bridge manner to the modern or mid-century modern room and decor. Tips from Impressionist to almost Fauvist, don't you agree - just superb! Found in Paris.
