Oliver Clare

19th Century pair of still life oil paintings of birds nest with flowers fruit

1898

Ellen Ladell British, (1853-1912) Still Life of Fruit & Exotic Birds Oil on canvas laid on board, signed Image size: 17.5 inches x 13.5 inches Size including frame: 24.75 inches x 20.75 inches Provenance: Sotheby’s The British Sale, 2003, lot 256 A beautifully painted still life of fruit with a glass dome and taxidermy birds by Ellen Ladell. Grapes, plums and a peach are shown grouped on a floral patterned green cloth at the front of a marble topped table. Behind the fruit is a large glass display dome with an arrangement of exotic taxidermy birds. The reflection in the glass gives the viewer a glimpse of a tall window with a house beyond, adding another dimension to the painting. Ellen Ladell was born Ellen Maria Levett in Ipswich in 1853 to George and Maria Levett. Her father was a foundry smith and the family lived at 30 Borough Road in Ipswich. She initially worked as a Milliner around 1871 but sought artistic training during her spare time. It is at this point she met and became a pupil of the still life painter Edward Ladell (1821-1886), who at that time was a widower. Ellen married Edward in Great Yarmouth on 21 October, 1878. The couple initially moved to Torquay where they had their son Kenwyn in 1880, but then decided to settle in Exeter, living at 99 Sidwell Street and setting up a studio at 20 Queen Street. Edward’s influence can been seen in her work as their styles and subject matter share some similarities. However, a number of Ellen’s paintings also included taxidermy under glass...

Henry H Parker British, (1858-1930) The River Kennet Oil on canvas, signed, further signed & inscribed verso Image size: 19.5 inches x 29.5 inches Size incl...