This unusual and wildly charming piece started its life as a working artist’s palette, but somewhere along the way—around 1860—it was transformed into a miniature masterpiece by German painter Carl Gerber. Three kittens peek out from a deep red cloth, nestled together in a cozy study that’s equal parts tender and mischievous. You can still see the original daubs of oil paint surrounding the image, a peek behind the curtain at the artist’s palette in every sense. The board is beautifully grained, and the back is clean and intact. It’s signed on the front and has all the quirks and warmth you'd expect from a 19th-century one-off.
This unusual and wildly charming piece started its life as a working artist’s palette, but somewhere along the way—around 1860—it was transformed into a miniature masterpiece by German painter Carl Gerber. Three kittens peek out from a deep red cloth, nestled together in a cozy study that’s equal parts tender and mischievous. You can still see the original daubs of oil paint surrounding the image, a peek behind the curtain at the artist’s palette in every sense. The board is beautifully grained, and the back is clean and intact. It’s signed on the front and has all the quirks and warmth you'd expect from a 19th-century one-off.
