Pair 19th Century French Barnyard Oil Paintings Signed Charles Maréchal

$8,900

About

Charming and wonderfully animated, this pair of antique barnyard paintings captures the rustic character of French country life. Crafted in France circa 1890, each oil on canvas depicts a lively flock of chickens gathered outside a farm building. One composition places the birds beneath the sweeping roof of a thatched shelter, while the companion scene shows them feeding near the open doorway of a stone henhouse.

Charles Maréchal renders the hens with expressive detail, distinguishing the birds through varied plumage in white, black, russet, and golden brown. Loose, confident brushwork gives texture to the straw, weathered buildings, and surrounding vegetation, while softly illuminated landscapes create a warm pastoral atmosphere. The complementary compositions were conceived as companion works, with the principal architectural elements positioned on opposing sides to create a balanced pair when displayed together.

Charles Maréchal (1865–1931) was a French painter known for animal subjects and scenes of rural life, particularly barnyards populated with chickens and other farm animals. Documented examples of his work include numerous scènes de basse-cour, and he is recorded as having exhibited at the Salon des Artistes Français. Both canvases are signed “Ch. Maréchal,” one at the lower left and the other in the lower right corner.

The paintings are presented in matching antique giltwood and composition frames richly ornamented with flowers, foliage, shells, and decorative corner elements. The canvases have been professionally relined and show minor age-related wear and restoration. The frames retain a warm, time-worn gilt finish. The pendants are in excellent condition commensurate with age and use.

Dimensions: Each measures 30.5” W x 34.5” H

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