Love at first sight with this one, though I did then take out a magnifier to examine most every inch of it, as it was so precisely done (oil on tin) I almost didn't believe it was a painting. I've been thinking some about paintings of women and birds of late (there is a fantastic Morris Hirshfield painting recently shown at the American Folk Art Museum of a woman lying on a sofa facing a bird and appearing as if about to feed it from her mouth) and have done a bit of reading; in this boudoir type painting the bird surely represents freedom or liberation of the erotic sort. (And what a wonderfully, delicately painted little yellow bird, perched so close to her mouth it seems as if might be whispering sweet things to her.) On the table at right our young woman has laid bits of jewelry, at near left some item of clothing with a blue bow on it, and at top right it the edge of a lace curtain, separating her from the realm of the painting in the background. A bit larger than a miniature, but small enough to feel like a bit of a secret, private thing. 1880s or so European I believe, unsigned as far as I can see, and to my eye and sensibilities a gem and delight right down to the gold tassels in her hair.
6 3/4 x 6 x 3/4 framed. 5 1/8 x 4 1/2” sight. Very good condition. Light craquelure, visible with magnification, and a tiny bit of paint loss in a couple of spots, as documented in detail photos, very minor.
You might also like
