Hawking was painted by Philips Wouwerman in 1650.

Where can I see Hawking?

Hawking is held by Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

What movement is Hawking?

Hawking is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Hawking

Philips Wouwerman , 1650

Hawking is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Philips Wouwerman. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum.

About this work

Overview

Philips Wouwerman, a Dutch painter active in the mid‑17th century, produced the oil work titled Hawking around 1650. Executed during his most prolific period in Haarlem, the canvas presents a calm countryside scene that includes riders, a dog, and a body of water, all set beneath a cloudy sky. The painting is presently part of the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a falconry outing, a leisure activity favored by the Dutch upper class of the era. A rider on horseback, accompanied by a dog, stands near water while another horseman appears in the distance, suggesting a narrative of pursuit and observation within a tranquil natural setting.

Technique & Style

Wouwerman employs a restrained palette of earth tones, using subtle shifts in light to model forms and convey atmospheric depth. Careful rendering of the figures and the surrounding landscape reflects his characteristic attention to detail in genre scenes, while the balanced placement of elements guides the viewer’s eye toward the foreground subjects.

History & Provenance

Created during Wouwerman’s membership in Haarlem’s Guild of St. Luke, Hawking remained in private hands before entering the public domain. It was eventually acquired by the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum, where it has been displayed as part of the institution’s representation of Dutch Golden Age painting.

Artist & collection

Artist

Philips Wouwerman

Philips Wouwerman (also Wouwermans) (24 May 1619 (baptized) – 19 May 1668) was a Dutch painter of hunting, landscape and battle scenes. He became prolific during the Dutch Golden Age and joined the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke.