Artwork
Landscape with Exotic Animals
Landscape with Exotic Animals is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Melchior d' Hondecoeter. It is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Landscape with Exotic Animals is a 1696 oil painting by Melchior d'Hondecoeter, a Dutch artist known for depicting birds in serene settings. This work showcases a diverse assembly of animals in a natural environment.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features an unusual mix of fauna, including deer, sheep, goats, and exotic horned creatures, set amidst dark, leafy trees and a softly glowing, cloudy sky. The crowded composition highlights the artist's interest in showcasing varied species together.
Technique & Style
D'Hondecoeter employed earthy tones (browns, grays, muted greens) with occasional brighter accents on the animals' fur, creating depth through chiaroscuro effects that balance light and shadow.
History & Provenance
Created during the Dutch Golden Age, a period of cultural flourishing in the Netherlands, the painting is now part of the Rijksmuseum's collection.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Melchior d'Hondecoeter (Dutch pronunciation: ; c. 1636 – 3 April 1695), Dutch animalier painter, was born in Utrecht and died in Amsterdam. After the start of his career, he painted virtually exclusively bird subjects,…
