Artwork
The stag hunt
The stag hunt is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Philips Wouwerman. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Created circa 1650, *The Stag Hunt* is a copper panel painting by Dutch artist Philips Wouwerman. Executed during the height of the Dutch Golden Age, the work presents a lively hunting scene set within a gently rolling landscape. The composition is now part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, where it is displayed among other 17th‑century Dutch works.
Subject & Meaning
The image captures mounted hunters in pursuit of a stag that darts through a forested area. A weathered stone tower, overgrown with ivy, rises in the distance, while a modest village nestles among the hills. Though the chase suggests action, the overall atmosphere is tranquil, emphasizing the harmony between man, animal, and countryside.
Technique & Style
Wouwerman applied paint thickly on the copper surface, allowing the texture of horse musculature and tree bark to emerge through pronounced brushwork. The handling of light on clouds and foliage creates a subtle contrast between the bright sky and the richer, autumnal tones of the trees, reflecting his skill in rendering atmospheric effects.
History & Provenance
Philips Wouwerman, a prolific member of Haarlem’s Guild of St. Luke, produced numerous hunting and landscape scenes throughout his career. This particular panel entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings in the 20th century, having passed through private collections before being acquired by the national institution for its representation of Dutch genre painting.
Context
During the mid‑17th century, Dutch artists frequently depicted hunting as a symbol of aristocratic leisure and the bounty of the land. Wouwerman’s work aligns with this tradition, combining detailed observation of equestrian anatomy with a picturesque countryside, a formula that appealed to the burgeoning middle‑class market for decorative yet narrative art.
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Artist & collection
Artist
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.
