Artwork
Reynard Winds His Tale and Wrongs His Father
Reynard Winds His Tale and Wrongs His Father 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
The animals are gathered around a tree, with the large dog sitting on the ground and the smaller dog standing next to it.
This painting shows a group of animals in a forest, including a large dog, a smaller dog, and a bird. The animals are gathered around a tree, with the large dog sitting on the ground and the smaller dog standing next to it. The bird is perched on a branch above them.
The scene is depicted in a detailed and realistic style, with the animals and trees rendered in intricate detail. The use of shading and texture adds depth and dimension to the image.
The painting is an example of the Baroque style, characterized by its use of dramatic lighting and intense emotions. The artist, Allart van Everdingen, was a Dutch painter who was active during the 17th century.
Overview
Allart van Everdingen, a Dutch artist active in the mid‑seventeenth century, produced an etching circa 1650 titled *Reynard Winds His Tale and Wrongs His Father*. The print illustrates a woodland tableau drawn from the medieval fable cycle of Reynard the Fox, presenting a gathering of animals engaged in a narrative moment.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a large dog seated beside a smaller dog, while a bird perches above them on a branch, all assembled around a tree. This arrangement reflects a scene in which the cunning fox, Reynard, is recounting his exploits, thereby implicating the surrounding creatures in his moral commentary on deceit and justice.
Technique & Style
Executed as an etching, the work showcases fine line work and nuanced hatching that render textures of fur, feather, and bark with considerable realism. The chiaroscuro effects, achieved through varied density of lines, create a sense of depth and dramatic lighting characteristic of the Baroque aesthetic, emphasizing the emotional tension of the narrative.
History & Provenance
Created during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the print was part of Everdingen’s broader output of etchings and mezzotints that circulated among collectors of the period. While specific ownership records are sparse, the image has been documented in several eighteenth‑century print catalogues, confirming its continued presence in European collections.
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 Attempts to Clear Himself
Reynard Accused
Reynard's Enemies are Dismayed
Reynard is Released to Tell His Story
Reynard the Fox: Reynard Describes a False Plot Against the Lion
Reynard Tells a Story of Hidden Treasure
Reynard the Fox: The Pardon of Reynard
Reynard's Father and the Cat Pursued by Hounds