Who painted Rest at a Stag Hunt?

Rest at a Stag Hunt was painted by Philips Wouwerman in 1666.

Where can I see Rest at a Stag Hunt?

Rest at a Stag Hunt is held by Bavarian State Painting Collections.

What movement is Rest at a Stag Hunt?

Rest at a Stag Hunt is associated with Dutch Golden Age.

Artwork

Rest at a Stag Hunt

Philips Wouwerman , 1666

Rest at a Stag Hunt is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Philips Wouwerman. It dates from 1666 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

The figures in the foreground are dressed in clothing from the 17th century, and they appear to be taking a break from hunting.

This painting, titled "Rest at a Stag Hunt," features a group of people and horses in a landscape setting. The scene is set against a backdrop of trees and hills, with a statue of a man on horseback in the distance. The figures in the foreground are dressed in clothing from the 17th century, and they appear to be taking a break from hunting.

The painting is rendered in oil paint, which gives it a rich and vibrant color palette. The artist, Philips Wouwerman, has used chiaroscuro to create a sense of depth and dimensionality in the scene. The brushstrokes are loose and expressive, giving the painting a sense of energy and movement.

For more information about this artist's work, look up Philips Wouwerman.

Overview

Philips Wouwerman’s 1666 oil painting *Rest at a Stag Hunt* captures a brief pause in a hunting expedition. The work presents a small group of riders and attendants gathered in a wooded landscape, their 17th‑century attire and horses suggesting a moment of leisure amid the chase. The canvas belongs to the Alte Pinakothek’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The composition illustrates a genre scene typical of Dutch Golden Age narratives, focusing on the human element of a stag hunt rather than the chase itself. By depicting the participants at rest, Wouwerman emphasizes the social ritual of hunting, highlighting camaraderie and the interplay between man, animal, and nature.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the painting employs a warm, saturated palette and pronounced chiaroscuro to model forms and convey depth. Wouwerman’s brushwork is relatively loose, imparting a sense of immediacy and movement despite the stillness of the moment. The distant equestrian statue adds a classical reference within the natural setting.

History & Provenance

Created in 1666, the work reflects Wouwerman’s mature period when he was an active member of Haarlem’s Guild of St. Luke. After changing hands over the centuries, the canvas entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, where it remains on public display.

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.