Charlotte Gardelle, In the Wood, Mixed Media on Paper, Early 20th Century

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Mixed media on paper, ink, gouache and watercolor, realized by Charlotte Gardelle (1879-1953) in the early 20th Century. Fair condition, … Read more Mixed media on paper, ink, gouache and watercolor, realized by Charlotte Gardelle (1879-1953) in the early 20th Century. Fair condition, due to some rips in the paper. Not signed. This lively composition portrays a red deer stag raising its head dramatically beneath leafy branches, accompanied by a greyhound-like hunting dog, and surrounded by birds (including a duck and a magpie-like bird in flight) near a pond at sunset. The use of rich greens, ochres, and warm twilight tones suggests a moment of heightened tension in nature — perhaps just as the animals sense danger or are startled into movement. The dynamic diagonals (the leaping line of the stag, the dog’s slanted body, the birds’ wings) create a strong sense of energy, contrasting with the soft, diffuse background. Scenes like this are typical of 19th-century naturalistic animal studies, when artists sought to combine accurate zoological observation with romanticised atmosphere. The subject and style recall the influence of animal painters such as Rosa Bonheur and Charles-Émile Jacque, who often worked from life sketches of animals and then placed them in dramatic natural settings. This piece is attributed to the mentioned designer/maker. It has no attribution mark and no
official proof of authenticity,
however it is well documented in design history. I take full responsibility for any authenticity



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