George Clare, Still Life With Bird’s Nest, Flowers & Mossy Bank

George Clare, Still Life With Bird’s Nest, Flowers & Mossy BankThis beautiful 19th century oil painting by British artist George Clare (1835 1890) depicts a birds nest, flowers, and mossy bank. Clare was an accomplished painter of tumbling still lifes and iconic English flora. He worked initially in the decorative arts as a japanner, while honing his skills as a painter, and his works are often compared with those of William Henry Hunt (1790 1864) who appears to have been an influence. While many of his

these sumptuous blooms explode from a basket with radiant splendour - cramming the canvas with abundant vivacity

An inscription on the reverse refers to ‘M De Haas’

is particularly notable as he also trained Claude Monet

It also bears a date of 1827

It fits with the style of the Barbizon group of artists who were active between 1830-1870

Frame with some light wear including handling marks

A nation on its knees and a civilisation longing to escape - both literally and psychologically

Paolo de Matteis (1662-1728) so it's plausible that the artist worked within his circle

he was described as a “tall and stately” man that would often stroke his “well-groomed beard with a characteristic hand gesture”

Light craquelure but otherwise fine

The painting is housed within a simple wooden frame

Fortunately