Who painted Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid)?

Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid) was painted by Peter Paul Rubens in 1639.

Where can I see Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid)?

Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid)?

Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid) is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid)

Peter Paul Rubens , 1639

Study for "The Bear Hunt" (for the Alcázar, Madrid) is an unspecified painting by the Baroque artist Peter Paul Rubens. It dates from 1639 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

This oil sketch is a preparatory work for a large-scale painting intended for the Alcázar Palace in Madrid, part of a series commissioned by Philip IV of Spain.

Subject & Meaning

The scene depicts a chaotic bear hunt, with hunters struggling to fend off two aggressive bears in a dense forest, conveying a sense of intense action and drama.

Technique & Style

The sketch is characterized by loose brushstrokes and a sense of spontaneity, with visible paint and urgent lines that convey the artist's creative energy.

History & Provenance

The sketch was completed in 1639, during the final year of Peter Paul Rubens's life, as part of a series of eighteen studies, seven of which survive.