{"product_id":"robert-nicolas-french-1614-1685-eastern-wild-turkey-young-male-meleagris-gallopavo-silvestris","title":"ROBERT, Nicolas (French, 1614-1685), Eastern wild turkey [Young Male] (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris)","description":"\u003cp\u003eROBERT, Nicolas (French, 1614-1685).\u003cbr\u003eEastern wild turkey [Young Male] (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris)\u003cbr\u003eWatercolor and gouache on vellum.\u003cbr\u003eInscribed lower right: ‘34’.\u003cbr\u003eca. 1675.\u003cbr\u003e14 5\/8\" x 11 5\/8\" vellum, 8\" x 19 5\/8\" framed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvenance: Collection of Marcel Jeanson, Sold Sotheby’s, London, December 13, 1996, Lot 18, The Chinese Porcelain Company.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eYoung male jake of an Eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) which was the first species of turkey encountered by Europeans in America.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobert’s painting of the turkey speaks to the courtly interest in this bird in France. Spanish explorers brought domesticated turkeys from Mexico to Europe around 1519. From Spain, the turkey’s journey across Europe was quick, arriving in Italy and Germany by 1530, and then in France in 1538. The turkey soon became a favorite at French royal courts and was featured in many dishes, known initially as “poulet d’Inde,” or “chicken of India.” By the 1540s, Turkeys had become more common.  Although it remained a delicacy for banquets, for example, turkey was served at the 1549 banquet in Paris to celebrate the coronation of Queen Catherine de’ Medici.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e--------------------\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNicolas Robert was one of the greatest natural history artists of the 17th century. His work established standards combining scientific accuracy and aesthetic appeal that influenced generations of artists and won the French royal family’s respect and patronage. Robert created a magnificent body of work for the French Crown. He was the first significant contributor to a collection of delicate watercolors on vellum that collectively became known as the Velins du Roi (the King’s Vellums). The watercolors Robert completed under Gaston d’Orleans and then Louis XIV for the royal collection fed the interest and provided the inspiration for the great masters of botanical and ornithological art who followed: Jean Joubert, Nicholas Marechal, Gerard van Spaendonck and Pierre-Joseph Redouté.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRobert’s first major commission was provided by Baron Sainte-Maure in 1641, to create the celebrated Guirlande de Julie, a book of watercolors on vellum of flowers inscribed with madrigals, which was to be a gift to the Baron’s betrothed, Julie d’ Agennes.  In 1645, the artist entered the service of Gaston d’Orléans, the brother of Louis XIII.  A passionate botanist, Gaston employed several artists to make watercolors of the rare plants that he had assembled in his garden at Blois.  At first, Daniel Rabel seems to have been the principal artist, but Robert’s superior talent was quickly recognized.  By the time of Gaston’s death in 1660, Robert was responsible for the contents of five large folio albums of vélins or vellums.  After Gaston’s death, Robert was invited by Louis XIV to continue his work in Paris at the Jardin du Roi and Versailles. The King’s minister, Colbert, who appointed Robert Peintre ordinaire du Roi pour la miniature in 1666, added to this collection through a contract requiring the artist to paint a minimum of 54 vélins every year.  Undoubtedly, Robert must have employed studio assistants to execute, at least in part, some of the seven hundred vélins produced, including Claude Aubriet (1665-1742) and Jean Joubert (1643-1707).\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"aradernyc","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46328509890604,"sku":null,"price":55000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1156\/7956\/files\/32.jpg?v=1791083240","url":"https:\/\/aradernyc.com\/products\/robert-nicolas-french-1614-1685-eastern-wild-turkey-young-male-meleagris-gallopavo-silvestris","provider":"Arader Galleries","version":"1.0","type":"link"}