L'OISEAU MORT (THE DEAD BIRD)

 

This painting is a rendition of one by Jean Baptiste Greuze, 1725 – 1805. depicts a dead bird on the dresser with the young girl gently touching it with her fingers, concentrating on the touch in case it may flutter away.  I tried  to capture in the painting the expression and composure of the young girl. 

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by JEAN BAPTISTE GREUZE  1725-1805

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Born in France in 1725, his parents were humble people who lived in a tiny house at Tournus. His father wanted him to become an architect – this did not happen so he took all materials from him then whipped him for making pictures all over walls (anywhere & everywhere)! Finally, the father gave in and sent him off to Lyons.

His painting “Le Baiser Envoye” is now in London in the collection of Baron Alfred De Rothschild. “Innocence” is in the Wallace Collection in London. He had also great success with his numerous portraits. Just before he died he said to his friend Bartholemew “Goodbye – I shall expect you at my funeral you will be all alone there, like the poor man’s dog”. He died in poverty asking for an advance on a picture in a letter saying “I am 75 years old, I have nothing left but my talent and my courage”.