Hare was painted by David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl in 1668.

Where can I see Hare?

Hare is held by Nationalmuseum.

What movement is Hare?

Hare is associated with Flemish Baroque painting.

Artwork

Hare

David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl , 1668

Hare is an oil painting by the Flemish Baroque painting artist David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl. It dates from 1668 and is held in the collection of the Nationalmuseum.

About this work

Overview

David Klöcker Ehrenstrahl’s 1668 oil painting titled “Hare” presents a solitary rabbit rendered with striking contrast against a dark backdrop. The composition focuses on the animal’s white fur and elongated ears, which dominate the visual field and draw the viewer’s attention to its poised, upright posture.

Subject & Meaning

The work captures a single hare in a moment of quiet alertness, its head turned left and forepaws tucked beneath its body. While no explicit narrative accompanies the image, the isolated depiction invites contemplation of the creature’s natural vigilance and the interplay between light and shadow in its environment.

Technique & Style

Ehrenstrahl employs oil on canvas with a pronounced chiaroscuro effect, allowing the luminous white of the hare’s coat to emerge from a deep, muted background. Visible brushwork adds texture to the fur, while the gradual gradation of tones creates a three‑dimensional sense of form and depth.

History & Provenance

Completed in 1668, the painting has been part of the Nationalmuseum’s collection in Stockholm. Its presence in the museum’s holdings reflects the artist’s standing in 17th‑century Swedish art and provides a representative example of his skill in rendering animal subjects with dramatic lighting.