French School, ‘Quand Coq Chantera, Crédit On Fera’, Gouache On Paper, 19Th Cent

A 19th-century French gouache on paper, depicting a rooster with the words 'Credit will be given when the rooster crows' ('Quand le coq chantera, crédit on fera'), a motto in French popular culture that was written alongside depictions of roosters and hung in cafés and shops as a humorous way to deter customers from asking for credit. The rooster is rendered in bright colours on a textured off-white background, the green and blue of its sickle and wing feathers set against its red comb and brown body. It stands on a ridge in brown, red and yellow, surrounded by shrubs, just above the motto rendered in elegant lettering.

A captivating level of detail sets this work apart from other folk depictions of roosters, with fine white strokes, dots and dark green patterns on the wing adding depth and texture, while long painterly brushwork accentuates the curves of the feathers. It is painted on two sheets, glazed in its original pitch pine frame.

A rare French folk work, with attention to colour and detail.

• Framed dimensions: 57 x 69 cm
• Picture dimensions: 41 x 54 cm
• Painting in very good condition, with some paper creases inherent to the technique.
• Glazed in its original pitch pine frame, in excellent condition.

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