Late 19th/Early 20th Century Mama Cat and Two Kittens Oil on Panel Painting in Wood Gesso & Gilt Frame

Description

Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

I have to admit that art to me, does not have to be avant-garde to be enjoyed … more Excellent Pre-Owned Condition.

I have to admit that art to me, does not have to be avant-garde to be enjoyed or respected. Being a lover of felines, I find this lovely painting pleasing and enjoyable. I picked it up in Kansas City at an estate auction a number of years ago. Since relocating and building a much smaller home, I do not have the wall space of our former home and am downsizing this beauty hoping it will resonate with a whimsical art and feline lover. This delightful painting is done in the style of something Wilhelm Schwar or Henriëtte Ronner-Knip might have painted, amongst others, of this genre and of the period. There is no visible signature and I have been loathe to dismantle the panel from the frame for fear of doing damage to the painting. Beginning in the second half of the 19th century, cat-painting became a trend that snowballed and lasted until just after World War I ended. This beauty with frame measures 18½” x 16½” x 2” W/H/D; portrait on panel alone 9¼”x 7½” W/H; weight 3 lbs. In overall excellent condition with age-appropriate wear. There are some very faint letters and numbers on the back of the panel which are quite difficult to make out but I attempted to capture in photo 11. The ornate wooden gesso and gilt frame has a wire on the back for immediate placement. This painter had an exacting and realistic painting style portraying these beautiful creatures in such a natural relaxed state but with just a hint of mischief in the eyes of both kittens that will prove disarming!

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