Artwork
Hunting Hare with a Ferret and Hound
Hunting Hare with a Ferret and Hound is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Paulus Potter. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Hermitage Museum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1650 by Dutch artist Paulus Potter, this oil painting portrays a lively countryside chase. A man reclines on the ground, amused, while a hound pursues a hare across a dry, flower‑dotted field. A ferret peeks from a wicker basket, and another hare lies motionless nearby, all set against a hazy horizon marked by a distant church tower.
Subject & Meaning
The work captures a moment of rural sport, juxtaposing human amusement with the tension of the hunt. The inclusion of both a ferret and a hound reflects traditional Dutch hunting practices, while the relaxed observer underscores a leisurely, almost playful attitude toward the chase, hinting at the social customs of 17th‑century countryside life.
Technique & Style
Potter renders the animals with meticulous attention to the play of light on fur, achieving a tactile softness that conveys texture and volume. The woven basket is depicted with fine, interlaced strokes, adding a contrasting pattern. The overall composition balances detailed naturalism with a calm, balanced arrangement typical of Dutch Golden Age genre painting.
History & Provenance
After Potter’s early death at twenty‑eight, the painting entered various collections before being acquired by the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, where it remains on display. Its provenance reflects the broader European interest in Dutch animal scenes during the 17th and 18th centuries.
Context
Potter, known for his specialization in animal subjects, produced roughly one hundred works before his untimely death from tuberculosis. This piece exemplifies his focus on everyday rural activities, aligning with the Dutch Golden Age’s fascination with realistic depictions of nature, labor, and leisure.
Artist & collection
Artist
Paulus Potter (Dutch pronunciation: ; 20 November 1625 (baptised) – 17 January 1654 (buried)) was a Dutch painter who specialized in landscapes featuring animals, often from a low vantage point.
