Oil on canvas "La Civetta" pipe hunting, glue hunting, owl hunting, 18th c.

Oil on canvas depicting birds with human heads flying towards a young woman sitting on a tree and holding a rose. This is in fact a scene inspired by a hunting technique in which an owl is tied to a tree and its cry is used to attract birds. The hidden meaning of the painting is explained by the double meaning in Italian of the word civetta which designates both an owl and a gallant woman. Italy, 18th century.