Ten Gouache Watercolors Of Birds

A group of ten gouache watercolors, dating from the late 18th century or early 19th century, presenting a serie of perched birds in four different formats.
First, two small landscape formats feature a Bullfinch on one and an Eurasian Nuthatch on the other.
Then three medium-sized landscapes each featuring a European Goldfinch, a Long-tailed Tit, and a Blue Tit.
Thirdly, two medium-sized portrait formats feature another Bullfinch and a female Chaffinch (?).
Finally, three large formats that each feature a pair of birds. A first pair features a Bluethroat and a Wren, a second pair of birds presents a Brambling and a female Chaffinch (?), a third pair of birds features a leucistic Chaffinch (in a state of genetic depigmentation) and a Common Redpoll.

The representations of birds could be inspired by ornithological works from the 18th century.
The birds are all depicted perched on a branch of a shrub, sometimes leafy, sometimes fruity, sometimes thorny. A green ground is depicted in the two medium-sized portraits of the Bullfinch and the female Chaffinch (?).
The backgrounds of these gouache watercolors feature a bright cerulean blue sky, contrasted by a gradient of yellow as it approaches the horizon and, sometimes, peach-colored clouds.
This configuration of colorful contrasts notably recalls the colorful atmosphere of the panoramic wallpaper, created by the Zuber manufactory, in the Oval Office of the White House.

Period: circa 1800

Dimensions of the small Bullfinch and the Eurasian Nuthatch:

Dimensions with frame :
Height: 13.3 cm
Width: 18 cm

Dimensions at sight:
Height: 11.4 cm
Width: 16.3 cm

Dimensions of the European Goldfinch and the Blue Tit:

Dimensions with frame:
Height: 20.7 cm
Width: 25.7 cm

Dimensions at sight:
Height: 18.4 cm
Width: 23.5 cm

Dimensions of the Long-tailed Tit:

Dimensions with frame:
Height: 17 cm
Width: 23.5 cm

Dimensions at sight:
Height: 18.4 cm
Width: 19.7 cm

Dimensions of the portrait formats of the Bullfinch and the female Chaffinch:

Dimensions with frame:
Height: 23.5 cm
Width: 18 cm

Dimensions at sight:
Height: 21.3 cm
Width: 17.7 cm

Dimensions of bird pairs:

Dimensions with frame:
Height: 30.1 cm
Width: 23 cm

Dimensions at sight:
Height: 28.1 cm
Width: 21 cm

Condition: Good