KLESTOVA, IRENE (1908-1989) Reclining Nude Oil on cardboard, 60 by 92 cm. signed and inscribed "Paris", also further signed, titled and inscribed on the label on the reverse. Exhibited: Salon des Indépendants, Paris, 1956 (label on the reverse). Provenance: Private Collection, UK. The present lot is a copy of one of the most popular compositions by Frans van Mieris the Elder (1635-1681). Mettenleiter showed his refined fijnschilder technique by making this beautiful version. The parrot has been interpreted as a symbol of eagerness to learn because it can learn how to talk and the embroidery on the lap of the young lady could be an allusion to industry and virtue. These elements were probably juxtaposed to illustrate these complementary qualities, which were desirable in young wives in Holland in the 17th century.