Who painted A Hound Jumping?

A Hound Jumping was painted by James Seymour in 1743.

Where can I see A Hound Jumping?

A Hound Jumping is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Hound Jumping?

A Hound Jumping is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

A Hound Jumping

James Seymour , 1743

A Hound Jumping is a graphite drawing by the Baroque artist James Seymour. It dates from 1743 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1743, *A Hound Jumping* is a graphite drawing on wove paper by English artist James Seymour. Known primarily for his depictions of horses, Seymour applied his skill to a single canine figure, capturing a moment of airborne motion. The work measures modestly and presents a stark, unadorned background that directs attention to the animal’s dynamic pose.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a dog caught mid‑leap, its fore‑limbs extended upward and its tail drawn close to the body. The exaggerated angle of the torso conveys a sense of sudden propulsion, suggesting the artist’s interest in the fleeting instant of action rather than a narrative scene. The drawing emphasizes the physicality and agility of the animal, reflecting a study of movement.

Technique & Style

This economy of line aligns with mid‑18th‑century drawing practices that valued the capture of motion and the essence of a subject over meticulous rendering.

Executed with rapid, gestural graphite strokes, the drawing relies on line rather than shading to define form. The artist’s hand moves swiftly, producing a loose network of marks that outline the hound’s silhouette while omitting surface detail. This economy of line aligns with mid‑18th‑century drawing practices that valued the capture of motion and the essence of a subject over meticulous rendering.

History & Provenance

James Seymour (1702–1752) was born in London to a family involved in banking and the art trade, granting him access to contemporary artistic circles. Though largely self‑taught, he studied works by leading painters of his day. *A Hound Jumping* reflects his broader focus on equine and canine subjects, and it remains a representative example of his draftsmanship from the early 1740s.