Artwork

A vulture on deafening deer

A vulture on deafening deer, by Friedrich Gauermann, oil, 1832
A vulture on deafening deer, by Friedrich Gauermann, oil, 1832

A vulture on deafening deer is an oil painting by Friedrich Gauermann. It dates from 1832 and is held in the collection of the Kunsthistorisches Museum.

About this work

Overview

A vulture on deafening deer is a 1832 oil painting by Austrian artist Friedrich Gauermann, known for his detailed and realistic depictions of nature.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a vulture standing on a lifeless deer in a rocky landscape, conveying a sense of stillness and mortality. The deer's closed eyes and protruding tongue suggest it is dead, while the vulture's open beak implies a moment of tension.

Technique & Style

Gauermann's use of chiaroscuro creates depth and dimensionality, drawing attention to the central figures. The muted color palette, dominated by browns and greens, contributes to the overall somber mood.

History & Provenance

The painting is part of the Kunsthistorisches Museum's collection. Friedrich Gauermann was trained by his father, landscape painter Jacob Gauermann, and developed a veristic approach to depicting natural subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Friedrich Gauermann

Artist

Friedrich Gauermann

Friedrich Gauermann (10 September 1807 – 7 July 1862) was an Austrian painter. The son of the landscape painter Jacob Gauermann (1773–1843), he was born at Miesenbach near Gutenstein in Lower Austria. He was an early…