Artwork
A Bear in a Winter Landscape
A Bear in a Winter Landscape is an unspecified painting by the Rococo painting artist Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton. It dates from 1737 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.
About this work
Overview
Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton, an 18th‑century painter from the Southern Netherlands who worked in Austria, completed the oil painting A Bear in a Winter Landscape in 1737. The work belongs to the Rococo period and is part of the permanent collection of Denmark’s Statens Museum for Kunst.
Subject & Meaning
The canvas centers on a solitary bear moving through a snow‑covered forest. The animal’s dark, shaggy coat contrasts sharply with the surrounding white ground, emphasizing its presence against the wintry backdrop. The open mouth and forward stride suggest a moment of alertness or motion, inviting viewers to contemplate the encounter between wilderness and seasonal stillness.
Technique & Style
Hamilton employs a restrained chiaroscuro, using deep shadows to model the bear’s fur and give it a three‑dimensional quality. Fine brushwork renders the texture of the coat, while broader strokes suggest the frosted trees and rocks. The limited palette of muted earth tones against the bright snow reflects Rococo’s preference for elegant surface treatment without excessive ornamentation.
History & Provenance
After its completion in 1737, the painting entered private collections before being acquired by the Statens Museum for Kunst, where it remains on display. Its provenance traces a typical path for works of the period, moving from aristocratic ownership in Central Europe to a national institution dedicated to preserving Danish and international art heritage.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton (c. 1664 – 1750), was an 18th-century painter from the Southern Netherlands active in Austria.
