Genre:Art mort / trompe-l’œil still life / death study
Style: Realist oil study with academic influence, likely from a regional atelier
Materials: Oil on wood panel
Signature: Both signed “F.S.” in lower left
Ateliers of this period often used birds and small animals in lifeless poses for student exercises in shadow, color modulation, and anatomical accuracy. The choice of wood panel and minimalist background was deliberate, designed to challenge the artist’s ability to create dimensionality without visual distractions.
An evocative pair of French oil-on-panel paintings from the 1920s, signed “F.S.” in the lower corners. These works are exemplary of art mort, a form of still-life painting focused on death studies, and were commonly practiced in academic ateliers throughout France during the early 20th century. Each panel features two birds, suspended by string, painted with arresting realism and dramatic stillness.
Rendered in oil directly onto warm-toned wooden panels, the compositions are stark and intimate: tied birds hang against a raw wood background, creating a subtle trompe-l'œil effect that blurs the line between illusion and reality. This style, popularized in both decorative and academic circles, emphasized mastery of light, texture, and tonal harmony, qualities these paintings beautifully showcase.
Pieces like these were often completed as technical studies or low-edition decorative works for country homes and private libraries. Today, they serve as moody, textural additions to both rustic and refined interiors, especially for those drawn to French realism, dark academia, and naturalist decor.
Condition:
Very good antique condition overall. Left panel shows a visible vertical seam where two wood planks have naturally separated over time, structurally stable and typical of the period. Minor surface wear, small scuffs, and tiny paint losses consistent with age. Frames show softening and patina with traces of original gilding and red paint. Backing paper lightly worn with hanging holes present.
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