Saw this Frans Snyders painting yesterday at a Rembrandt, Van Dyck, and Gainsborough show at the Seattle Art Museum:
Figures with Fruit and Game, ca. 1635 A large oil painting at 49 x 48 inches, the mastery of the medium was breathtaking, especially the handling of the deer's fur and folds of its skin in the shoulder area. Of particular note was the hun on top of the basket, and the basket itself. It was beyond exquisite, and simply cannot be done any better than this. There is a large snipe or woodcock there also, and some kind of meadowlark? I'm sure back then, if it flies, it dies, was the motto. Frans Snyders created a large number of these game-themed still lifes and genre pieces, all of which are extraordinary.
Another painting that literally took my breath away was Landseer's
Hawking in the Olden Time, 1832, oil on canvas, 60 x 72. The power and emotion of this large painting when seen in person, and the gracefulness of the heron's twisted neck as it fights for survival were simply amazing. You have to see them up close to really appreciate them.
Just thought I'd share some art I thought you all might enjoy.
