Who painted Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself?

Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself was painted by Allart van Everdingen in 1650.

Where can I see Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself?

Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself?

Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself?

Museum-quality prints of Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself

Allart van Everdingen , 1650

Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself is an ink print by the Baroque artist Allart van Everdingen. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Reynard Attempts to Clear Himself is a circa 1650 etching by Dutch Golden Age artist Allart van Everdingen, created alongside his painting practice. The work depicts a chaotic scene from the medieval Reynard cycle, featuring a fox, rabbits, and birds entangled in vines and branches.

Subject & Meaning

The etching illustrates a moment from the popular European medieval narrative, the Reynard cycle. At its center, a fox (Reynard) appears to attempt escape from the tangled web, while other animals remain stuck or observant, conveying a sense of dynamic struggle and potential deception, characteristic of the cunning fox tales.

Technique & Style

Executed in etching, the piece showcases Van Everdingen's skill in scratching intricate, dark lines into a metal plate. The resultant print features scratchy, expressive lines, imbuing the scene with a sense of vitality and chaos, as the tangled composition blurs the boundaries between the animals and their natural entrapment.

History & Provenance

Created around 1650, the etching is a product of Van Everdingen's dual practice in painting and printmaking. Specific provenance details are not provided, but its creation aligns with the Dutch Golden Age's flourishing print culture.

Context

Part of a broader European artistic engagement with the Reynard cycle, this etching reflects the period's interest in medieval narratives. Van Everdingen's use of etching also situates the work within the 17th-century Dutch printmaking tradition.

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Artist & collection

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.