Artwork
Falconer before Riding Out
Falconer before Riding Out is an unspecified painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Philips Wouwerman. It dates from 1643 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a genre scene set prior to a falconry expedition, featuring a man, a horse, a falcon, a goat, and a girl engaged in milking.
The painting depicts a genre scene set prior to a falconry expedition, featuring a man, a horse, a falcon, a goat, and a girl engaged in milking. This composition captures a moment of rural preparation, blending the aristocratic pursuit of falconry with everyday pastoral labor. The presence of the falcon and horse signifies the impending hunt, while the milking girl and goat ground the narrative in domestic routine. The work represents the intersection of leisure and agrarian life in seventeenth-century Dutch genre art.
History & Provenance
The painting Falconer before Riding Out is dated 1643, aligning with Philips Wouwerman's early career in Haarlem. It is held in the Bavarian State Painting Collections at the Alte Pinakothek, Munich, where it forms part of the Wittelsbach holdings that came to the state collection.
Overview
Philips Wouwerman, a Dutch Golden Age painter, completed Falconer before Riding Out in 1643. This oil painting captures a scene of rural life centered around a falconer preparing for a hunt. It showcases the artist's characteristic focus on genre scenes, often featuring horses and figures engaged in daily activities. The work is currently housed in the Alte Pinakothek, reflecting Wouwerman's prominence in 17th-century Dutch art.
Technique & Style
Wouwerman employed chiaroscuro to create dramatic depth, contrasting areas of strong light and deep shadow. This technique enhances the three-dimensional quality of the figures and animals, lending them a tangible presence. The artist's meticulous rendering of light on surfaces contributes to the realistic depiction of textures and forms.
The falconer's vibrant red cloak stands out against the dark, turbulent sky, drawing the viewer's eye and emphasizing the central figure.
Context
Philips Wouwerman was a significant figure in the Dutch Golden Age, known for his prolific output across various genres including hunting scenes, landscapes, and battle paintings. As a member of the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke, he was part of a vibrant artistic community. Falconer before Riding Out exemplifies his skill in capturing detailed genre scenes, which were popular among collectors seeking depictions of daily life and leisure pursuits in the Netherlands during this period.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philips Wouwerman (also Wouwermans) (24 May 1619 (baptized) – 19 May 1668) was a Dutch painter of hunting, landscape and battle scenes. He became prolific during the Dutch Golden Age and joined the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke.
