{"product_id":"oliver-clare-1853-1927-still-life-of-blossom-bird-s-nest-british-victorian-oil-painting-c-1880-1890","title":"Oliver Clare (1853–1927) Still Life of Blossom \u0026 Bird’s Nest British Victorian Oil Painting c.1880–1890","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOliver Clare (1853–1927) Still Life of Blossom \u0026amp; Bird’s Nest British Victorian Oil Painting c.1880–1890\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn exceptionally detailed signed Victorian woodland still life by Oliver Clare, depicting pink and white blossom surrounding a bird’s nest with four blue eggs, with historic Haynes Fine Art provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHighlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginal British Victorian oil painting by Oliver Clare (1853–1927)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSigned “Oliver Clare” lower right\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCirca 1880–1890\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOil on canvas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePink and white blossom upon a richly detailed mossy woodland bank\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBird’s nest containing four striking blue eggs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eColour and clutch size suggestive of the European Starling\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistoric F.R. registered-stock label verso\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaynes Fine Art of Broadway label, stock no. 3463\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically recorded by Haynes Fine Art as 8 × 10 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate eastern shire collection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolding Young \u0026amp; Mawer, Lincoln Fine Art Sale, 5 February 2025, Lot 113\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHoused in an ornate gilt openwork frame\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA characteristic example of Clare’s celebrated bird’s-nest and mossy-bank compositions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIntroduction\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn enchanting late Victorian still life by the noted British painter Oliver Clare, combining delicate blossom with one of the artist’s most recognisable recurring subjects: a bird’s nest concealed amongst the vegetation of a mossy woodland bank.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhite and soft pink blossom emerges from a densely worked background of moss, leaves and crossing branches. Clare constructs the scene through minute variations of colour, light and texture, creating the impression of a miniature woodland environment rather than a conventional studio still life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the lower right rests a carefully constructed nest containing four luminous blue eggs. Their cool colour provides an immediate contrast with the deep greens, earthy browns and warmer pinks surrounding them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe result is intimate and remarkably immersive. The viewer seems not merely to observe a collection of botanical specimens but to discover a hidden fragment of the Victorian countryside at close quarters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArtist: Oliver Clare (1853–1927)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTitle: \u003cem\u003eStill Life of Blossom and a Bird’s Nest\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDate: Circa 1880–1890\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSchool: British\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePeriod: Victorian \/ late 19th century\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMedium: Oil on canvas\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSignature: Signed “Oliver Clare” lower right\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSubject: Pink and white blossom, foliage and moss surrounding a bird’s nest containing four blue eggs\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrame: Ornate gilt openwork frame\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBird’s nests, flowers and moss-covered banks form an established and recurrent part of Oliver Clare’s oeuvre.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNumerous documented paintings combine essentially the same elements as the present work. Recorded titles include \u003cem\u003eApple Blossom and a Bird’s Nest\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eStill Life of Primroses and Bird’s Nest\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003ePrimroses, Apple Blossoms and Bird’s Nest\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eFlowers and Bird’s Nest by a Mossy Bank\u003c\/em\u003e and several variations upon \u003cem\u003eStill Life of Flowers and Bird’s Nest\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeveral documented examples measure 8 × 10 inches, corresponding with the dimensions entered on the historic Haynes Fine Art label attached to the reverse of this painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA particularly relevant comparison is Clare’s \u003cem\u003ePrimroses and Birds’ Nests on a Mossy Bank\u003c\/em\u003e, signed and dated 1882. Another recorded bird’s-nest composition dates from 1890. These works provide useful comparative support for the present circa 1880–1890 dating.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bird’s-nest subject also belongs to a wider Clare-family tradition. Oliver’s father, George Clare, painted fruit, flowers and bird’s-nest studies, while his brother Vincent Clare likewise became a still-life painter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Bird’s Nest and Four Blue Eggs\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most engaging elements is the clutch of four intensely blue eggs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTheir relatively uniform, largely unmarked blue colouring and clutch size are suggestive of the European Starling (\u003cem\u003eSturnus vulgaris\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis provides an interesting ornithological interpretation of Clare’s subject but should not be regarded as a definitive species identification. No documentary evidence has been identified recording the bird Clare intended to portray, and an artistic representation need not reproduce every ornithological characteristic precisely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe work is therefore formally catalogued as depicting a bird’s nest containing four blue eggs, possibly representative of a Starling clutch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Artist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOliver Clare was a British still-life painter associated particularly with Birmingham and belonged to an accomplished family of Victorian artists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis father George Clare established a reputation for highly finished paintings of fruit, flowers and bird’s nests. Oliver’s brother Vincent Clare also pursued still-life painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough no definitive documentary record of Oliver attending a particular formal art school has yet been established, the close technical and stylistic relationship between Oliver and George Clare strongly suggests that much of Oliver’s early artistic education took place within the family environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOliver developed an exceptionally meticulous approach to painting. Fruit, petals, leaves, moss and other natural details were rendered through highly controlled handling, producing the finely finished surfaces for which his work became known.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than restricting himself to conventional tabletop arrangements, Clare frequently placed fruit and flowers within mossy banks and hedgerows, transforming the traditional still life into an intimate study of the natural environment.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHe exhibited during his career at important British institutions including the Royal Academy and Royal Society of British Artists at Suffolk Street, as well as exhibitions in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eClare also undertook commercial artistic work, producing still-life designs reproduced as promotional postcards and posters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHis paintings remain represented in public collections and continue to be collected internationally.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistoric F.R. registered-stock label attached verso, identifying the artist as Oliver Clare and recording the title \u003cem\u003eStill Life of Blossom and a Bird’s Nest\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHaynes Fine Art of Broadway, The Bindery Galleries, 69 High Street, Broadway, Worcestershire; stock no. 3463; historic label verso identifying Oliver Clare and recording the picture as 8 × 10 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrivate eastern shire collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolding Young \u0026amp; Mawer, Lincoln Fine Art Sale, 5 February 2025, Lot 113, catalogued as Oliver Clare, \u003cem\u003eStill Life of Blossom and a Bird’s Nest\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcquired by Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe surviving historic labels have been retained on the reverse as part of the painting’s documented history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFramed:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHeight: 33 cm\u003cbr\u003eWidth: 38.5 cm\u003cbr\u003eDepth: 5 cm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGolding Young \u0026amp; Mawer recorded the painting itself as approximately 18.5 × 23.5 cm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe historic Haynes Fine Art label records the picture as 8 × 10 inches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMinor differences between historic measurements can result from differing methods of recording the canvas, sight size or framed dimensions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Report\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOffered in good presentable antique condition commensurate with age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe canvas has previously been relined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is extensive age-related craquelure throughout the painted surface together with areas of surface wear and other characteristics consistent with a late 19th-century oil painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe ornate gilt frame displays age-related rubbing, chips, small losses and general surface wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe frame complements the painting particularly well but is not represented as being original to the work.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlease examine the extensive close-up photographs carefully, as these form an integral part of the condition description.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWorldwide Shipping\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWorldwide shipping is available.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting will be professionally packed using appropriate protective materials for safe transportation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInternational deliveries are normally dispatched using established tracked courier services. Buyers are responsible for any applicable customs duties or import taxes in their destination country.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCertificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe painting will be accompanied by a Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® Certificate of Sale \u0026amp; Dealer Attribution recording our catalogue attribution and relevant provenance information held at the date of sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttribution and Research\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis catalogue entry has been prepared following examination of the painting, signature, historic labels and available documentary evidence.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComparative research has included museum and public-collection records, established fine-art dealers, professional trade organisations, specialist Clare-family research and historical auction records.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eParticular consideration has been given to documented Oliver Clare compositions incorporating flowers, bird’s nests and mossy banks, including examples sharing the 8 × 10-inch format historically recorded for the present painting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe possible identification of the eggs as those of a European Starling is presented as an interpretation rather than an established fact.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD®\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCheshire Antiques Consultant LTD® specialises in carefully selected fine art, antiques and historic objects offered to collectors and interiors worldwide.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEach work is individually researched and catalogued with particular attention to authorship, provenance, physical characteristics and historical context.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBringing History Into Your Home.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55097739051386,"sku":"CAC-SK-0338A","price":8000.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0201\/2227\/1808\/files\/OliverCarebirdsnestblossoms.jpg?v=1740761824","url":"https:\/\/cheshireantiquesconsultantltd.com\/ga-es\/products\/oliver-clare-1853-1927-still-life-of-blossom-bird-s-nest-british-victorian-oil-painting-c-1880-1890","provider":"Cheshire Antiques Consultant LTD","version":"1.0","type":"link"}