Party Pooper by Teddy Hansen

The origin of curtsying:

This painting shows a woman at a masquerade ball curtsying. She’s wearing a crinoline, which many believe was designed to give large dresses structure with its frame, but here it actually serves as a birdcage.

She releases little Shrikes from her dress. Shrikes are songbirds that look like they are wearing eye masks, resembling cat burglars as they sneak into the party. Shrikes are known for using thorns or barbed wire while hunting food. At the top of the canvas, the Shrikes have taken the bunting and draped it over the candles on the cake, setting it on fire.

A cat is trying to get into the birdcage at the bottom.

The woman’s dress looks like a mischievous smiling face.

Her hands, which are holding the dress up, resemble dogs, famously cats’ greatest enemy.

Mixed media on canvas.

105H x 86W cm

2025