Game of the Forest (Wild Game with Owl and Birdcage)
Painting on canvas • Attributed to Jean-Baptiste Oudry (French, 1686–1755) or Circle of Oudry
Style & Movement
Rococo / French Baroque transition (Nature Morte)
Medium & Technique
Oil on canvas, employing classical Dutch-style glazing and fine brushwork for textures like feathers and light effects
Creation Period
Mid to late 18th Century (c. 1750-1780)
Dimensions & Format
Large portrait format, approximately 120cm x 90cm
Subject Description
A vanitas-themed still life depicting a dead swan, white flowers, and fruit in the foreground, with an owl perched atop a birdcage containing smaller live birds in the background. The owl often symbolizes wisdom or a predator-prey nocturnal relationship, while the dead game serves as a memento mori.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good. Shows age-appropriate surface craquelure and slight yellowing of the varnish layers.
Estimated Market Value
$50,000 - $85,000 (Based on attribution to the Oudry circle and its provenance in a major estate)
Auction Estimate
$30,000 - $50,000
Provenance History
Part of the Alfred I. du Pont collection at the Nemours Estate in Delaware; likely acquired through the European art market during the early 20th century to furnish the estate in the French style.
Art Historical Significance
Significant as a representative piece of the French school of animalier painting. It reflects the 18th-century noble interest in hunting, nature, and the dramatic interplay of light and shadow in still-life compositions.
Notable Features
The juxtaposition of the live owl and smaller birds against the dead swan creates a narrative tension unique to French hunting scenes of this period. High-quality rendering of the swan's plumage.
Condition Issues
Visible network of craquelure across the lower half; surface dust; darkening of pigments in the background; frame shows minor gilt loss.
Conservation Recommendations
Professional surface cleaning and potentially a sensitive varnish thinning. Maintain humidity levels between 45-55% to prevent further canvas movement.
Collector Notes
Painting in Nemours Estate in Delaware