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17th century English Birds on a pond and in flight, Ducks, Swans, Kingfisher

Circa 1670

$7,950
£6,059.18
€6,926.03
CA$11,185.15
A$12,252.98
CHF 6,449.49
MX$146,242.57
NOK 82,214.72
SEK 75,156.64
DKK 51,736.23

About the Item

Studio of Francis Barlow, English, late 17th century Birds on a Pond with Waterfowl and Birds in Flight Oil on canvas Un-signed Presented in an antique English carved wood frame A finely composed late 17th-century English bird painting from the studio of Francis Barlow, depicting a tranquil pond scene animated by ducks, ducklings, and waterfowl, with birds in flight above and a kingfisher perched at left. Francis Barlow is widely regarded as the first significant English painter to specialise in birds and animals, working at a time when such subjects were still dominated by Continental artists. His work bridged the decorative traditions of earlier Netherlandish painting with a distinctly English naturalism, and he was particularly admired for his ability to combine accurate observation with graceful, balanced composition. By the latter part of the 17th century, Barlow maintained an active studio, producing works for country houses, sporting estates, and patrons with an interest in natural history. Paintings from his studio typically retain his characteristic clarity of form, harmonious grouping of species, and calm pastoral atmosphere, while displaying a slightly broader handling in foliage and background passages—features consistent with collaborative studio practice of the period. The present work reflects the growing English taste for ornithological and sporting subjects following the Restoration, when rural life, country pursuits, and the natural world became fashionable themes in domestic interiors. Such paintings were often hung in libraries, dining rooms, or sporting lodges, where they complemented the refined yet informal country-house aesthetic. The painting is presented in a richly carved antique English frame, appropriate to the period and enhancing its decorative presence. Together, the subject matter, style, and execution firmly place this work within the Barlow studio tradition, offering an evocative example of early English animal painting at a formative moment in its development.
  • Creation Year:
    Circa 1670
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 25 in (63.5 cm)Width: 31.5 in (80.01 cm)
  • Medium:
  • Movement Style:
  • Circle Of:
    Francis Barlow (1626 - 1704, English)
  • Period:
    1670-1679
  • Condition:
    the painting haas just been cleaned and re-varnished and restored .
  • Gallery Location:
    Woodbury, CT
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU507317390632

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