Literature: “Karel Appel Retrospective 1945–2005”, Meulensteen Art Museum, 2005, ill. p. 71. Provenance: Bart van Kasteel, architect on the rebuilding of The Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam, 1956. Gift from the artist. Provenance: Dutch art dealer and artist Herman Krikhaar, gift from the friend Bart van Kasteel. In 1956 the Dutch artist Karel Appel was commissioned to do the mural for the Stedelijk Museum's new restaurant. For the consignment he made use of stained glass for the first time.  The vivid colours and the bird motif are, however, very characteristic elements of the art of the Cobra artist Appel for whom colour was a vital part of a spontaneous expression.The Stedelijk Museum was closely connected with the Cobra group and plays an important role in the history of the movement. In November 1949, the Museum was housing the “International Exhibition of Experimenting Art”, organised by the Dutch group of experimenting artists, including Appel. The exhibition caused great sensation and must be considered to be one of the most important manifestations of Cobra art during the movement's short lifetime (1948–51).