Artwork
On Point
On Point is an oil painting by the American Impressionist artist Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait. It dates from 1874 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
The scene is quiet, almost still, no blood, no drama, just the moment after the hunt.
A dog stands over a dead bird, its paw pinning the wings to the ground. The scene is quiet, almost still, no blood, no drama, just the moment after the hunt.
Tait painted this in 1874, when hunting scenes were common, but he focused on the small details: the dog’s tired eyes, the way the bird’s feathers catch the light. It’s not about the kill, it’s about the pause, the weight of the moment.
If you like this, look up other paintings of birds. They often tell more than they show.
Subject & Meaning
Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait's 1874 oil painting On Point functions as a genre scene centered on the act of hunting. The composition features a dog and a bird as its primary subjects, capturing a specific moment within a sporting narrative. By depicting these animals in relation to one another, the work illustrates the dynamics of the hunt, a recurring theme in Tait's oeuvre.
The title itself suggests a focus on the dog's behavior, likely freezing in a pointing stance to indicate the presence of the bird. While the specific species are not detailed in the available records, the iconography clearly represents the interaction between the hunter's companion and its quarry, emphasizing the tension and focus inherent in the sporting tradition.
Technique & Style
Created in 1874, On Point is an oil painting executed on a wood panel support. The work measures 25.4 cm in height and 34.3 cm in width. As a genre scene, the piece captures a hunting subject featuring a dog and a bird, rendered through the artist's characteristic use of oil paint.
The medium of oil on panel was a common choice for detailed narrative works of this period, allowing for precise depiction of the animals and their environment. The painting is held in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection within the American Wing, where its formal qualities highlight the interaction between the canine subject and its quarry.
History & Provenance
The painting On Point was created by Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait in 1874, as confirmed by the Metropolitan Museum of Art's records. It is executed in oil on wood panel and measures 25.4 cm in height and 34.3 cm in width, depicting a hunting scene featuring a dog and a bird. The work is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, classified within the American Wing.
The available sources do not document a commissioning history, early ownership chain, distinct accession number, or exhibition history for the piece.
Overview
Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait, a British-American artist associated with New York City's art community, created On Point in 1874. This oil on wood painting is a genre scene depicting a hunting moment, a subject Tait frequently explored. The work is considered part of the American Impressionism movement, showcasing his detailed approach to wildlife.
Context
Hunting scenes were a prevalent subject in art during 1874, when Tait painted On Point. As an artist known for his wildlife depictions, Tait frequently returned to such themes, establishing his reputation within the American art landscape. His close ties to New York City's vibrant art scene further situated his work within the broader cultural currents of the period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Arthur Fitzwilliam Tait (February 5, 1819 – April 28, 1905) was a British-American artist who is known mostly for his paintings of wildlife. During most of his career, he was associated with the New York City art scene.
Flushing Grouse, Long Lake, Hamilton County, New York
Et par hunde som opgraver et muldvarpeskud
Et par hunde som opgraver et muldvarpeskud
¡Aún se defiende!
Rațe sălbatice gonite de un câine. Pandant: Rațe sălbatice gonite de un câine flocos
To hunde i et bjerglandskab
To hunde i et bjerglandskab
Poultry
Poultry
Un golpe en vago
Landskab med en jæger og hans hund- On Point