Joan Brady

Songbird in Snowy Landscape, Winter Bird, Danish?, J Brady, signed and dated

1868

Flemish school, 17th century Orpheus and the animals Oil on canvas, 146,5 x 217 cm Provenance: South German private collection. On an impressive, room-filling format, this painting depicts "Orpheus and the Animals." The harp-playing Orpheus sits centrally in front of a tree whose trunk bifurcates above his head. This central tree frames with its crown the scenery towards the horizon and at the same time offers through branches the possibility for many birds to find space. The left half of the picture is characterized by a seascape, at the edge of which the ruins of a castle can be seen deep in the background. This seascape, framed by mountains on the horizon, is the only area where sky can be seen. On this side, waterfowl such as storks, swans and ducks can be seen. In the right half, the viewer looks into a deep European forest. On this right side, more land animals can be found, such as deer, rabbits and lions, among others. Orpheus wears opulent red and gold trimmed clothing, under his blue breastplate we see a white shirt. His feet are adorned by elaborate sandals. His head is surrounded by a radiant laurel wreath ("poeta laureatus"). The young man is clearly identifiable as the singer and poet of Greek mythology, Orpheus, by his harp, the laurel wreath and the animals surrounding him. Orpheus was one of the Argonauts who, under Jason, was searching for the Golden Fleece. He sang so beautifully that he even conquered the angry sea and enemies by the magic of his lyre. During the journey, Orpheus is said to have drowned out even the sirens with his singing. It is said that he was the greatest of all poets and charmed people, animals, stones and trees with his singing. In total, 51 birds and 37 different species are depicted in the painting. The animals are mostly depicted in great detail and, except for a few, can be identified. Mainly European species of animals are shown. Exceptions are the ostrich-like nandu peeking out from behind the deer, as well as the large parrot on the upper left, and the two lions. Similar is the case for the large animal directly behind Orpheus on the right. The shape of the head suggests an arctic fox from the polar regions, even though the body is much too large. The arctic fox was first described in 1555 by Olaus Magnus. However, it could also be a depiction of a brown or black bear. An unusual detail is the animal, which is relatively isolated in the right background and looks to the left. It is not clearly identifiable, but it shows certain similarities with the Australian kangaroo. This was first described by Vespucci in 1500 and further by Francisco Pelsaert in 1629. If it is indeed a kangaroo, this would be one of the earliest surviving pictorial representations. In this painting, Orpheus is accompanied by a small monkey playing a viola da gamba. This is an iconographic peculiarity. In general, this painting has some peculiarities compared to other paintings with "Orpheus and the animals". The central positioning of Orpheus is quite common, but he usually holds a lyre and is dressed in an antique style, but not as opulently. The choice of animals is also remarkable: European animals in particular are seen, hardly any exotic features, such as camels or elephants. The two lions in the right foreground are a quotation from Peter Paul Rubens and his depiction of "Daniel in the Lion's Den", which was realized in an engraving. The present painting can be classified as belonging to the Flemish School of the 17th century on the basis of its painterly and compositional conception. From the circle of Jan Brueghel the Younger are numerous representations of this Orpheus - theme, which take it as an opportunity to show as many exotic animals. There are also echoes of Spanish painters such as Juan de Arellano...

Circle of Andries Both, Southern Landscape with Cows. Both moved to Italy ( Rome and Venice) where is work was influenced by the warm Italian light. Decorative Painting

The works of William Smith were regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy in London between 1813 and 1859. Yet little is known about this artist. He lived in Shropshire and was active...

Stilllife with dead Birds, Fruits and Vegetables Oil on Canvas, 101 x 84 cm signed (upper left) „G Libald “ (G and L ligated) Provenance: Private Collection, Brussels; Private Coll...

Master painter of this genre, George Armfield is renowned for his depictions of dogs in the chase. Here a pheasant sails safely above their heads, while the dogs enjoy the chase belo...

This charming late 19th-century French School oil painting depicts a forest view with deer. Stylistically, it fits with the approach taken by the Barbizon school of artists who were...

This charming late 19th-century oil painting by British artist Alfred Augustus Glendening (1840-1921) depicts a picturesque river landscape with cattle and ducks. Born in Hampton on Thames, London, Glendening was raised in an area popular with Victorian artists. The river, with its zig-zagging steamboats and silvery waters, providing ample inspiration for a young impressionable mind. This fascinating environment delivered the building blocks for his artistic development, and one can imagine him sketching on the riverbank along with other painters. It would take a little time before he turned to art as a career but, once he pursued his calling, success was inevitable. Travel during the mid-19th century was becoming a little easier thanks to the emerging rail network, and Glendening filled his sketchbooks on various cross-country trips. In 1864, he debuted at The Royal Society of British Artists with a view from Cumbria’s picturesque Lake District. And the following year, he exhibited ‘A Cornfield, Kent’ at the Royal Academy. Many of his works were centred around shimmering water with the Isle of Wight another frequent destination. Soon, the rising middle classes took note and he quickly became a firm favourite. With views in North Wales, the Highlands, Surrey, and Devon captured with a deft touch. His approach was predominantly naturalistic and lacked the grandiosity of many early Victorian painters. His tranquil vignettes are skilfully observed with dapples of light dancing across reflected foliage. The occasional bird picked out with weight and movement. Here, in this picturesque sunlit view from 1896, he captures nature at her most buoyant. Cattle cool off under a prominent beech tree as the surface of the skilfully-handled river flickers into life. Glendening’s exquisite draughtsmanship was matched by a keen understanding of tone and value - resulting in balanced compositions with blissful moods. By 1903, he’d exhibited 47 works at the Royal Academy. Quite an achievement for a late starter. Today, various museums hold examples including at Southampton and Newport. Signed/dated lower left and held within a later frame. Provenance: Private collection, Germany. Artist’s auction maximum: £32,000 for ‘Bramber Castle’, Oil on canvas, Christie’s, 19th Century Pictures...

Ferdinand Sommer (German, * 28.5.1822 Coburg, † 26.7.1901 Luzern) Romantic view of the wild Lauterbachbrunnental with the Schmadribachfall and the Jungfrau Mountain and three circli...