Artwork

Landscape with Greyhound and Rifle

Landscape with Greyhound and Rifle, by Jan Fyt, ink, 1642
Landscape with Greyhound and Rifle, by Jan Fyt, ink, 1642

Landscape with Greyhound and Rifle is an ink print by the Baroque artist Jan Fyt. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Landscape with Greyhound and Rifle is a 1642 etching on laid paper by Jan Fyt, a Flemish Baroque artist known for his detailed renderings of animals, still lifes, and hunting themes.

Subject & Meaning

The etching depicts a serene, dense forest scene with a greyhound sniffing the ground and a partially hidden rifle, juxtaposing wildlife with a hint of human presence, characteristic of Fyt's thematic explorations.

Technique & Style

Fyt employed sharp, layered etching lines to achieve textured depth, a hallmark of his technique, with twisted tree forms and pronounced shadows contributing to the work's somber, introspective atmosphere.

History & Provenance

Created in 1642, this etching falls within Fyt's active period as a painter, draughtsman, and etcher, reflecting his consistent engagement with animal and landscape subjects during the Flemish Baroque.

Context

This work aligns with the Flemish Baroque's emphasis on detailed realism and the intersection of natural and human elements, while also showcasing etching's capacity for intricate, high-contrast imagery.

Legacy

While specific legacy details of this etching are not provided, it contributes to Fyt's broader reputation for meticulous animal and landscape depictions, influencing subsequent generations of Flemish and European artists.

Artist & collection

Artist

Jan Fyt

Jan Fijt, Jan Fijt or Johannes Fijt (or Fyt) (19 August 1609 – 11 September 1661) was a Flemish Baroque painter, draughtsman and etcher.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.