Wild Sow and Her Young Attacked by Dogs

Pen and brown and gray ink, brown and gray wash, heightened with white gouache on light brown laid paperJean-Baptiste Oudry (French, 1686–1755)/1748

Description

Jean-Baptiste Oudry began his career as a portraitist but gradually became known for his paintings of animals and hunting scenes. These images attracted the attention of Louis XV, and Oudry became one of France's foremost decorative painters during the king's reign. Here, the artist highlighted a violent battle between a sow and a group of dogs. The drawing relates to one of Oudry's most successful Salon paintings, which was exhibited to great acclaim in 1748. The sketchy lines and lack of detail throughout the sheet suggest that it was likely a study made in preparation for the later canvas, which was purchased by Louis XV and installed in one of his homes.

Provenance

Nijman (Neyman), Amsterdam; (Basan, Paris, July 8-11, 1776, no. 613, sold to Fouquet); Fouquet; Fäsch family, Basel; Private Collection, Switzerland; (Marianne Joannides, London, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Dimensions

37.7 × 51.7 cm

Source

The Cleveland Museum of Art

Movement / Period

Drawings

Accession No

1997.191

Official Citations

[The Cleveland Museum of Art Official Record][Full Resolution Image]

Curatorial Affinity Stream

Continuing the Universe of Jean-Baptiste Oudry (French, 1686–1755)

Drawings • France, 18th century • Harmonious Works & Contemporaries

Continuous Discovery