Artwork

Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf

Reynard the Fox:  The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf, by Allart van Everdingen, 1662
Reynard the Fox:  The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf, by Allart van Everdingen, 1662

Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf is a print by the Baroque artist Allart van Everdingen. It dates from 1662 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.
1982.179.56

About this work

Here’s the scene: a wolf and a fox fight in a muddy pit. The wolf snarls, teeth bared. The fox dodges, muscles tense.

This isn’t a noble hunt. It’s a trickster’s last stand. Reynard the Fox cheats, he’ll use any move to win. Van Everdingen shows the ugly truth of animal cunning.

Look up this painter next: Allart van Everdingen (Dutch, 1621–1675).

Overview

Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf is a 1662 print by Allart van Everdingen, a Dutch painter and printmaker.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a scene from the medieval Reynard cycle, a European folklore tale featuring the cunning fox Reynard. It shows Reynard and a wolf engaged in a fierce, muddy combat, highlighting the fox's trickery and cunning.

Technique & Style

Created as an etching, the work exemplifies van Everdingen's skill in printmaking, a medium characteristic of the Dutch Golden Age.

Context

The print is a product of the Dutch Golden Age, a period of significant cultural and artistic output in the Netherlands.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Allart van Everdingen

Artist

Allart van Everdingen

Allaert van Everdingen (Dutch pronunciation:; bapt. 18 June 1621 – 8 November 1675 (buried)), was a Dutch Golden Age painter and printmaker in etching and mezzotint.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Cleveland Museum of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.

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Frequently asked questions

Who painted Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf?

Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf was painted by Allart van Everdingen in 1662.

Where can I see Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf?

Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf?

Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf?

Museum-quality prints of Reynard the Fox: The Combat Between Reynard and the Wolf are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.