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 (?-1776); (Basan, Paris, July 8-11, 1776, no. 613, sold to Fouquet) (1776); Fouquet (1776-?); Fäsch family, Basel (?-?); Private Collection, Switzerland (?-?); (Marianne Joannides, London, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (?-1997); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (1997-)
Accession Number
1997.191
Medium
Pen and brown and gray ink, brown and gray wash, heightened with white gouache on light brown laid paper
Dimensions
Sheet: 37.7 x 51.7 cm (14 13/16 x 20 3/8 in.)
Classification
Drawing
Credit Line
Andrew R. and Martha Holden Jennings Fund
