Artwork

Reynard the Fox: Reynard and the Badger Depart for Court

Reynard the Fox:  Reynard and the Badger Depart for Court, by Allart van Everdingen, 1662
Reynard the Fox:  Reynard and the Badger Depart for Court, by Allart van Everdingen, 1662

Reynard the Fox: Reynard and the Badger Depart for Court 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 and the Badger Depart for Court is a 1662 print by Allart van Everdingen, a Dutch painter and printmaker. It is part of a series illustrating the medieval Reynard the Fox fables.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a procession of animals, led by the cunning fox Reynard and accompanied by a badger, approaching a castle on a hill. The scene is likely a narrative episode from the Reynard the Fox stories, where the characters face a legal confrontation.

Technique & Style

The black-and-white print features sharp lines and shading that convey texture and detail, such as the fur of the animals and the foliage in the background. The use of chiaroscuro and dramatic composition are characteristic of the Baroque style, which emphasized movement and tension.

Context

The work reflects the Dutch Golden Age art tradition, where narrative scenes often carried allegorical or moral undertones. The Reynard the Fox stories were popular during this period, offering commentary on human society through animal characters.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Allart van Everdingen

Artist

Allart van Everdingen

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.