Superb Antique French Oil Painting, Nature Morte, Signed by Artist, Orig. Frame

Exceptionally fine 19th century oil painting on stretched linen canvas. Signed by the artist, "Lezoy" or perhaps Leroy or Lezou. I am not certain. But the painting is a beautiful rendition of a popular 19th century theme known as "nature morte", a still life which usually had birds, animals, sea creatures or fish and sometimes kitchen tools. The genre has more to do with a sort of prayer for the bounty of a meal to be prepared than it does to do with dead things. Normally it's that which will be prepped for the evening meal, and often a pan and some vegetables complete the scene. Seems a little odd, perhaps, but they were almost always hung by strings, almost a Trompe l'oeil type of still life set up. This one is exceptional in both condition and beauty, and the frame is as nice as the painting. That's unusual too for the old frames that are stucco on wood. This is a very heavy old solid wood frame. Both frame and painting present in fine form. We'll make sure they get to our buyer in