Artwork
The Hare (after A. de Balleroy)
The Hare (after A. de Balleroy) is a print by the Impressionist artist Félix Bracquemond. It dates from 1865 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 2005.249
- Credit line
- Gift of John Bonebrake
About this work
Overview
Félix Bracquemond’s 1865 print, titled The Hare after A. de Balleroy, presents a solitary hare positioned in a softly rendered landscape. The animal occupies the central plane, its body upright and head turned toward the right, while the surrounding scenery recedes into muted hills and sparse trees. The work is part of the Cleveland Museum of Art’s collection.
Subject & Meaning
The composition focuses exclusively on the hare, emphasizing its alert posture and delicate fur. By isolating the creature against a tranquil backdrop, the image invites quiet observation, suggesting themes of stillness and the subtle presence of wildlife within a pastoral setting.
Technique & Style
Executed in a realistic manner, Bracquemond employs careful line work and tonal shading to render the hare’s texture and the atmospheric depth of the landscape. Subtle chiaroscuro models the animal’s form, allowing it to emerge from the softer, less defined background, while the overall effect remains restrained and contemplative.
History & Provenance
Created in 1865, the print is a reinterpretation of an earlier image by the French engraver A. de Balleroy. It later entered the holdings of the Cleveland Museum of Art, where it remains on view as part of the museum’s print and drawing collection.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Félix Henri Bracquemond was a French painter, etcher, and printmaker. He played a key role in the revival of printmaking, encouraging artists such as Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas and Camille Pissarro to use this technique.
