Artwork
Reynard the Fox: The Lion's Court
Reynard the Fox: The Lion's 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
Created in 1662, *Reynard the Fox: The Lion’s Court* is a black‑and‑white print by Dutch artist Allart van Everdingen. The image gathers a variety of forest creatures around a central scene in which a fox converses with a lion, who holds a scroll. The composition is set amid trees and a lightly clouded sky, conveying a narrative moment drawn from fable literature.
Subject & Meaning
The work visualises a scene from the medieval Reynard cycle, portraying the cunning fox alongside the regal lion who presides over a court of animals. The surrounding figures—a rabbit, a deer and others—listen attentively, suggesting a judicial or advisory gathering where the fox’s calm demeanor contrasts with the lion’s authority, reflecting themes of wit versus power.
Technique & Style
Van Everdingen employs strong chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to model fur and foliage, while his line work remains deliberately rough, giving texture to the animals’ coats and the forest backdrop. The print’s stark monochrome palette heightens the dramatic tension typical of Baroque visual language, emphasizing the interplay of light and dark across the scene.
History & Provenance
The print belongs to the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it is displayed as part of the institution’s holdings of Dutch Golden Age works. Van Everdingen, known for his etchings and mezzotints, frequently turned to literary sources and animal allegories, and this 1662 piece exemplifies his engagement with narrative printmaking during that period.
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: Reynard Appears at Court
Reynard the Fox: The Lion's Council
Reynard the Fox: Reynard Continues His Story
Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf
Reynard the Fox: The Badger Calls Reynard to Court
Reynard the Fox: The Cat Calls Reynard to Court
Reynard the Fox: Reynard and his Companions