Adriaan van ’t Hoff - Cockatoo on a Perch

Adriaan van ’t Hoff (1893–1939)

Cockatoo on a Perch

Pastel and pencil on paper

Signed and dated 1923 lower center

52 × 42 cm

In the original frame.

Condition:

Good condition.

Provenance:

Private collection, Utrecht.

Additional information:

The drawing strikes a compelling balance between realism and stylization. Its graceful linework, clear composition, and interplay of light and shadow reflect the influence of the Art Deco movement, which reached its height in the 1920s. Art Deco placed great emphasis on ornament, exoticism, and refined forms. These elements are also evident here in the bird’s majestic posture, sharply defined crest, and the expressive texture of the surrounding dark field.

Particularly noteworthy is the fact that Van ’t Hoff created a lithograph of this cockatoo in the same year, depicted from a mirrored perspective. This version is now part of the collection of the Drents Museum (see photo 3).