Artwork

Reynard the Fox: The Cat is Trapped

Reynard the Fox:  The Cat is Trapped, by Allart van Everdingen, 1662
Reynard the Fox:  The Cat is Trapped, by Allart van Everdingen, 1662

Reynard the Fox: The Cat is Trapped 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 the Fox: The Cat is Trapped is a 1662 etching by Dutch Golden Age artist Allart van Everdingen, housed in the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work illustrates a pivotal moment from the medieval fable of Reynard the Fox.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts Reynard the Fox observing a cat trapped in a hollow log, with the fox portrayed in attire (hat, cloak, and stick) conveying cunning. The scene embodies the fable's themes of outwitting and deception.

Technique & Style

Executed in muted browns and greens, the etching showcases Baroque characteristics, notably chiaroscuro and dramatic lighting, which enhance the mood of clever trickery.

History & Provenance

Created in 1662 by Allart van Everdingen, a renowned etcher and mezzotint artist, the piece is now part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection.

Context

Part of the broader Baroque art movement, this work reflects the era's emphasis on dramatic effects and storytelling through art, drawing on a well-known medieval fable for its subject matter.

Legacy

As an example of 17th-century Dutch etching and Baroque style, the work contributes to the artistic heritage of the Dutch Golden Age, though its specific impact or influence is not broadly highlighted in available records.

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.