Who painted Woman feeding a Parrot?

Woman feeding a Parrot was painted by Frans van Mieris the Elder in 1663-01-01.

Where can I see Woman feeding a Parrot?

Woman feeding a Parrot is held by Alte Pinakothek.

What movement is Woman feeding a Parrot?

Woman feeding a Parrot is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Can I buy a print of Woman feeding a Parrot?

Museum-quality prints of Woman feeding a Parrot are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Woman feeding a Parrot

Frans van Mieris the Elder , 1663

Woman feeding a Parrot is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Frans van Mieris the Elder. It dates from 1663 and is held in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek.

About this work

Subject & Meaning

The composition highlights the relationship between the human figure and the animal, presenting a snapshot of 17th-century domesticity.

The painting depicts a domestic genre scene featuring a woman interacting with a parrot. Created in 1663, the work focuses on the intimate moment of the woman feeding the bird. As a piece of genre art, the subject matter centers on everyday life rather than mythological or historical narratives.

The composition highlights the relationship between the human figure and the animal, presenting a snapshot of 17th-century domesticity.

Technique & Style

The work is executed in oil paint on a wooden panel, measuring 22.4 cm by 17.7 cm. The surface shows a smoothly blended application with a refined finish typical of Dutch genre painting of the mid‑17th century. Brushwork is precise, defining the textures of the woman's clothing and the plumage of the bird with subtle tonal transitions. Light falls from the left, illuminating the figures and creating a delicate chiaroscuro that emphasizes the intimate interaction. The composition is balanced and naturalistic, reflecting the formal conventions of the Leiden school genre scene.

History & Provenance

Woman feeding a Parrot is an oil painting on panel by Frans van Mieris the Elder, dated 1663. The documented ownership chain traces through several distinguished collectors. It was held by Dirk Albert Hoogendijk, and later by Harold Samuel, Baron Samuel of Wych Cross.

The work subsequently entered the holdings of Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, and is associated with the Bavarian State Painting Collections and the Alte Pinakothek. It also passed through the Johnny Van Haeften Gallery before joining the Leiden Collection. The painting has been exhibited in "Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting. Inspiration and Rivalry."

Painted in 1663, this oil on panel work by Frans van Mieris the Elder is held within the Bavarian State Painting Collections and displayed at the Alte Pinakothek. It is also associated with the Leiden Collection and has passed through the Johnny Van Haeften Gallery. The painting's provenance includes ownership by Maximilian II Emanuel, Elector of Bavaria, as well as later collectors Dirk Albert Hoogendijk and Harold Samuel, Baron Samuel of Wych Cross.

The work has been featured in the exhibition "Vermeer and the Masters of Genre Painting: Inspiration and Rivalry."

Overview

Created in 1663, this oil painting presents an intimate domestic moment: a woman in a red gown with white fur trim offers food to a perched grey parrot. The figures are set against a darkened backdrop, with a modest table bearing a cloth and a spindle. The composition captures a quiet exchange between human and bird, emphasizing calm and concentration.