IV The Last of Him

William S. Perry

1885

watercolor

From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum

Impressionism Post-Impressionism Realism Late 19th Century hunting

About this work

This painting shows a lone dead animal on rocky ground, its fur still damp. A group of people in dark coats stand on a nearby boulder, watching. Three birds circle overhead—two flying, one landing. The sky is pale, the hills faint, and the whole scene looks washed out, like a sketch left in the rain. The dead animal’s pose makes it look like it’s resting, not fallen. The people seem calm, not shocked. The artist used soft watercolors to keep it all blurry and quiet. If you like this style, check out William S. Perry.