The cardinal's pet - Victor Marais-Milton (1872-1948)

Oil on panel
Signed lower right: “Marais-Milton”

Dimensions: 63 x 55 cm

Victor Marais -Milton was a French artist, born in 1872 in Puteaux. Early in his career he lived in Paris but later moved to Sèvres where he remained until his death. He studied in the atelier of Jonchère, but has also been linked to Ernest Meissonnier, who by the end of his career had become a master of genre painting and an inspiration to many artists while working as a teacher in his own atelier for the École des Beaux-Arts.

This artwork offers a captivating glimpse into the private life of a cardinal. The room’s ambiance, a blend of subdued light and velvety shadows, enhances the sense of seclusion and contemplation. At the center of this painting we can see the cardinal, dressed in his red robes, sitting in a dignified chair. In his hand he presents a nut to a green pet bird. It is perched proudly on his finger, and appears perfectly at ease.