Artwork
Reynard the Fox: Reynard Tricks the Wolf
Reynard the Fox: Reynard Tricks the Wolf is a print by the Baroque artist Allart van Everdingen. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Reynard Tricks the Wolf is a 1662 print by Allart van Everdingen, a Dutch painter and printmaker. The work is a black-and-white etching that illustrates a scene from the medieval Reynard the Fox fables.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a fox outwitting a wolf in a wooded scene, with the fox standing on its hind legs and holding an object. The scene is set against a backdrop of trees, bushes, and distant buildings, and conveys the cleverness of the fox as it outmaneuvers its companion.
Technique & Style
Van Everdingen used shading to create a sense of depth and dimensionality, giving the animals a lifelike appearance. The use of etching allowed for detailed textures and subtle gradations of tone, adding to the overall realism of the scene.
Context
The print is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of significant cultural and artistic output in the Netherlands. It draws on medieval fables, illustrating a timeless tale of cunning and deception.
Artist & collection
Artist
Allaert van Everdingen (Dutch pronunciation: ; bapt. 18 June 1621 – 8 November 1675 (buried)), was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker in etching and mezzotint.
Reynard the Fox: The Chase of the Stag
Reynard the Fox: The Badger's Defense of Reynard
Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf
Reynard the Fox: Reynard Chasing Hens
Reynard the Fox: Reynard and the Rabbit
Reynard the Fox: The Disloyal Cat
Reynard the Fox: The Badger Calls Reynard to Court