Artwork
Long-Tailed Red Fox
Long-Tailed Red Fox is an oil painting by the American Folk Art artist John Woodhouse Audubon. It dates from 1851 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
John Woodhouse Audubon’s 1851 oil on canvas, titled Long‑Tailed Red Fox, depicts a solitary fox beside a shallow water source. The animal, rendered in vivid orange and black tones, lowers its head as if drinking or sniffing the surface. Behind the creature, a horizon glows with the soft light of either sunrise or sunset, while grasses frame the scene on the right.
Subject & Meaning
The work belongs to the animal genre, focusing on a single wild creature in its natural setting. By portraying the fox in a moment of quiet vigilance, Audubon emphasizes the animal’s instinctual behavior and its integration with the surrounding landscape, inviting viewers to contemplate the delicate balance between wildlife and environment.
Technique & Style
Executed in oil, the painting showcases Audubon’s meticulous brushwork, especially in the rendering of the fox’s fur, where fine strokes convey texture and sheen. The composition balances detailed foreground elements with a broader, atmospheric sky, reflecting Romantic sensibilities that favor emotive naturalism and a reverence for untamed nature.
History & Provenance
Created in 1851, the canvas reflects Audubon’s later period, when he turned his attention from avian subjects to broader wildlife studies. While specific ownership records are limited, the painting has been catalogued among Audubon’s lesser‑known works and remains a representative example of his mid‑century output.
Context
During the mid‑19th century, Romanticism encouraged artists to depict nature with heightened emotion and dramatic lighting. Audubon’s focus on a solitary fox aligns with contemporary interests in documenting native fauna, while the luminous sky and expansive setting echo the era’s fascination with the sublime qualities of the natural world.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
John Woodhouse Audubon (November 30, 1812 – February 21, 1862) was an American painter who was the second son of the ornithologist and painter John James Audubon.
