Mid Century Still Life with Hanging Pheasants by Henry Farion

French Countryside, Hung in Oil

A little drama for the dining room, library, or perhaps that wonderfully unexpected corner that has been waiting for something with feathers.

This striking mid-century still life by French artist Henry Farion (1900–1991) depicts a pair of hanging pheasants, captured with bold, expressive brushwork and wonderfully textured layers of oil paint. Farion’s energetic strokes give the birds a sense of movement and depth, while rich notes of russet, deep brown, charcoal and crimson emerge against a softly muted background.

Dating from the 1950s–1960s, the painting belongs to the grand tradition of nature morte au gibier, or game still life, a genre celebrating the beauty, texture and theatricality of the hunt. Yet Farion gives the classic subject a distinctly modern touch: less country manor formality, more painterly flourish.

The artwork is presented in an elegant gilt wood frame, adding a warm, timeless finish. It has been cleaned by a professional painting restorer associated with the University of Amsterdam and is now in a very good condition.

About Henry Farion
Henry Farion turns out to be one of those intriguing artists who left behind a substantial body of work but remarkably little documented biography. 

Henry Farion (1900–1991) was a French twentieth-century painter whose work explored a wide range of subjects, from Mediterranean landscapes and harbour scenes to animals, equestrian subjects and expressive still lifes. Although his life remains relatively undocumented, his paintings reveal a confident and versatile hand, with a particular sensitivity to movement, atmosphere and texture.

In this expressive game still life, Farion brings a modern, almost gestural energy to a traditional subject. Bold layers of paint and sweeping brushstrokes transform the hanging pheasants into a wonderfully dramatic composition, balancing the grandeur of the old hunting tradition with the freer spirit of mid-century painting.

A wonderfully atmospheric piece for collectors, lovers of French art, and anyone who appreciates a little old-world drama with a wild feathered edge.