Who painted Sleeping Greyhound?

Sleeping Greyhound was painted by Johann Christian Reinhart in 1811.

Where can I see Sleeping Greyhound?

Sleeping Greyhound is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Sleeping Greyhound?

Sleeping Greyhound is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

Sleeping Greyhound

Johann Christian Reinhart , 1811

Sleeping Greyhound is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Johann Christian Reinhart. It dates from 1811 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Sleeping Greyhound is an 1811 print by Johann Christian Reinhart, a pivotal figure in German Romantic classical landscape painting. The work, executed in etching and aquatint on laid paper in a subdued brown hue, is part of the National Gallery of Art's collection in Washington.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a greyhound in a state of rest, its body tightly curled with its head on its paws, conveying a sense of tiredness. The composition focuses on the animal's serene pose, set against a dark, nocturnal background.

Technique & Style

Reinhart employed a combination of etching and aquatint to achieve detailed, sharp lines and nuanced shading, rendering the greyhound's soft fur texture. The laid paper's visible grain adds to the print's tactile quality.

History & Provenance

Created in 1811, Sleeping Greyhound is now held in the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., as part of its permanent collection.

Context

While Reinhart is noted for his contributions to landscape painting, Sleeping Greyhound showcases his skill in capturing intimate, everyday moments with animals, reflecting a broader Romantic interest in emotional and natural subjects.

Legacy

As a work by a key Romantic figure, Sleeping Greyhound contributes to the understanding of early 19th-century German artistic practices, particularly in printmaking techniques like etching and aquatint.

Artist & collection

Artist

Johann Christian Reinhart

Johann Christian Reinhart was a German painter and engraver. He was one of the founders, along with Joseph Anton Koch, of German romantic classical landscape painting.