Nineteenth Century Oval Still-Life of Game Birds- 13½" x 18"

This oval still-life painting, dating to the nineteenth century, captures the quiet drama and earthy poetry of traditional game pieces. Two birds lie arranged on a stone ledge, their feathers rendered with a naturalistic touch that reveals the artist’s close study of texture, weight, and color. A small chip painted onto the edge of the stone ledge heightens the sense of realism, subtly grounding the scene in everyday life and adding to the painting’s tactile, lived-in atmosphere. The warm browns, russets, and soft ochres emerge gently from a muted background, creating an intimate composition in keeping with the classical still-life tradition, where subjects of the hunt symbolised abundance, seasonality, and the rhythms of rural life.

The canvas retains its original oval format and shows areas of age and surface wear, including rubbed edges, small losses around the perimeter, and a slightly loose tension consistent with its age. These traces of time contribute to its atmospheric presence, lending the painting the quiet patina that amateurs of antique works often seek.

Hung in a kitchen, dining room, or above a rustic sideboard, this intimate oval brings a touch of antique charm and contemplative depth to both traditional and contemporary interiors. Style it with copper, stoneware, and dark woods to complement its earthy palette, or let it ground a vibrant kitchen filled with patterned textiles, fresh produce, and warm light.