Parrot, Louis Charles Bombled, 1879

watercolour, over pencil, h 208mm × w 256mm More details

This parrot may well have been the pet of the fabulously wealthy banker and art lover Daniël Franken. The French artist Louis-Charles Bombled drew the animal for its owner, perhaps as a ‘grateful souvenir’ of a pleasant first meeting. Originally from Amsterdam, Franken lived in Paris from 1871. He also owned a chic villa in Le Vésinet, where he regularly received artist and dealer friends.