Just the most wonderful Nineteenth Century Watercolour Painting Portraying a snapshot of English life in the 1800s and a Dear Little Kitten!

THE STORY - There is a Star of the Show in this wonderful painting and that of course is that little kitten who holds the attention of nearly all in the painting, but there is so much more going on in this picture it really is like a snapshot rural life in England in the early 1800s. The painting is not small measuring approx 32.5cm in height by 28cm in width and it has been painted by an Amateur Hand, so one cannot say the execution is fine but that for me is what gives it its charm and brings life to the painting. I would imagine the painting would date to the early 1800s circa 1830 and portrays a family group of mother with her baby in her arms and her three older children sitting outside their cottage. The children are spellbound by the little kitten standing next to a bowl in for the foreground. The scene is clearly rural as we see trees and greenery in the distance although there is another cottage in the near distance outside which it can just be made out two figures. And although the details are sparse there are a few that really hold ones attention like the wonderful large bird cage hanging near the long thin lead panelled window above the mother's head through which we can see a large bottle within. And besides the mother there is a small table from which a book has fallen as well as what looks like ball of wool. And although I have said the painting cannot be described as fine it really does manage to convey a sense of animation of the excitement of the children caused by that little kitten and the mother kindly calming the little lad in blue so not to scare it away. And this painting for me manages to convey the strength and the power of what may be termed Folk Art as one cannot escape the feeling that the person who painted this touching scene with such sensitivity and observation may well have been the father of the children or a member of their family or friend, a person who knew them well. And I would imagine this was a portrayal of a beautiful memory of a scene they had witnessed and been part of with this family. The painting sits in a much later white card mount and frame, although both have some age to them. On the back of the frame a new board appears to have been attached from which a section from the old backing has been attached with the verso 'The Kitten' Original early 19th Century Watercolour Painting.

AGE - Circa 1830

CONDITION - The painting is in very good condition with the colours still strong and no foxing that I can see. The white mount shows some dirt at the bottom which can best be seen in the sixth photo. The thin wooden frame was at some point in its life painted with gold coloured painted but this has largely rubbed off now which I have to say I find more attractive. As I have mentioned a new backing has been put on but I do not think this has been done professionally although it does appear to be very stable.

DIMENSIONS (Approx) - Framed - 16&1/2" / Height 42cm, Width 13&1/2" / 34cm, Depth 3/4"/ 2cm. Image Size - Height 12& 3/4" / 32.5cm, Width 11" / 28cm