Artists' signature, L. Duveny (French) and engraved plaque on the original frame.
Oil painting on wood board, panel: 19 1/2" x 10 1/8" x 3.8", c.1850-80s
A superb still life in the "Fruits of the Hunt" theme, trompe l'oeil manner, with the day's kill hanging by strings on a painted nail. The artist's name did not come up in a simple search, but with some effort I'm certain you will find it. Rarely do we bring in a painting from Paris that has a name on the frame, unless it's someone who was exhibited well. Usually this type of painting was simply hung without a frame, so even more indication this artist was well-known, at least in his time. If you know more about L. Duveny (French), please email. Thank you. I love this genre, and the paintings look gorgeous in a home or cabin, accented with hand carved Black Forest carvings, too. I have them in both homes! Don't leave this one with me long enough for me to find a spare place on my own walls. Found in France, of course. Time to go back!
Very good to excellent condition for age and type. The old oil painting on wooden board hold up very well, and this is no exception. Very slightly to the Impressionist in the feel of it. Some are so hyper-realist, but this has a lovely feel to it. Four birds in all. These are, remember, not just images of dead things - they're from a very long tradition going back into c.1500s in northern Europe, and are actually prayers of thanksgiving for the simple meal of the day. Sometimes they will include kitchen tools, pots, some vegetables along with the animal or birds yet to be consumed. They're glimpses of a life and time when one's meal to come wasn't always assured to materialize and hunger was often quelled with simple bread.
