Antique Italian Painting of Rooster "Heralding the Dawn" by Antonio Franchini

The present work is an interesting scene for a number of reasons, including importantly its time of execution in 1865. It was during a period of his retirement to Scarsborough following time spent in Italy, sketching the major lakes and landscapes in the northern part of the country. Likely executed in his studio using the preparatory sketches made of the area during these travels, the scene captures an idyllic view of Lake Nemi during sunset. It is rich in fall colors as light cascades through the haze of clouds and strikes the turning leaves of the trees, casting long shadows along the meadow grasses. The blue waters of Lake Nemi are cool and reflect the landscape bordering the shore. The focal point of the scene is a family of three that is taking the day to hike the local countryside, breaking along a rock to enjoy the lovely views. The work is signed and dated 1865 in the lower right corner and the original frame retains a label on it from John Hay Son, an art dealer, framer and gilder in John Wilson Carmichael...

PAUL EMILE LÉON PERBOYRE French, 1851-1929 Cuirassiers Sharing Wine with Rural Countryman Oil on canvas signed lower left "Perboyre" Item # 309ULM18A A rich historical painting that captures the heart and reality of the Franco-Prussian conflict, the scene depicts a troop of Cuirassiers stopping for the afternoon in a non-descript field in the French countryside. Presumably the owner of the field, an older man has come out in the heat of the afternoon to greet the soldiers with a basket of wine bottles, offering a glass to the officers while chatting casually with them. Perhaps he is a local guide offering a sense of what the soldiers might expect in the rural countryside, but more likely it is simply a moment of reprieve in the idyllic countryside and a distinct juxtaposition to the intensity and drama of Perboyre's battle scenes. The Franco-Prussian War (1870-1871) was the last use of "cuirassiers" in the French army with uniforms characterized by the distinct helmets known as a "casque à crinière" featuring a plume of horsehair. The cuirassiers wore a breastplate (cuirass) and the red trousers were a standard part of the French military uniform...

FRANÇOIS LOUIS FRITZ DE NIEDERHÄUSERN Switzerland, 1828-1888 A Rustic Chalet in the Swiss Mountains Oil on canvas Signed lower right "F de Niederhausern" 18 1/4" H x 23 1/2" W [fr...

LAURENT DE BEUL Belgium, 1821-1872 Shepherd Boy, Dog and Flock in Landscape (1864) Oil on panel signed with a certifying statement in the artist's hand verso "Je soussigné, déclar...