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The Bear Hunt by Paulus Potter

Paulus Potter · 1649-01-01

This dramatic painting, *The Bear Hunt* by Paulus Potter, was completed in 1649, when the artist was only 23 years old. Held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, it showcases his remarkable talent at a very young age.

Potter specialized in landscapes featuring animals, often depicted with a low vantage point that brings the viewer close to the action. The intricate details, like the dogs' snarls and the bear's struggle, highlight his focus on realistic animal anatomy.

Tragically, Potter's career was brief; he died of tuberculosis at just 28, leaving behind around 100 works. His intensity and skill, especially in capturing the raw energy of animals, left a lasting mark on Dutch Golden Age painting.

What details in this dynamic scene draw your eye the most?

Details

He was just 23 when he created this violent scene.
He was just 23 when he created this violent scene.
Look closely at the tree on the right.
Look closely at the tree on the right.
He would die only five years later, at age 28.
He would die only five years later, at age 28.
The glinting steel of the sword suggests imminent action and the hunter's aggression.
The glinting steel of the sword suggests imminent action and the hunter's aggression.
The dog's determined attack and the blood on its fur show the brutal nature of the chase.
The dog's determined attack and the blood on its fur show the brutal nature of the chase.
Transcript

This chaotic hunt was painted by a young artist, Paulus Potter. He was just 23 when he created this violent scene. Look closely at the tree on the right. Potter carved his initials and the year, 1649. He would die only five years later, at age 28. He finished about 100 paintings in his short, brilliant career.