Snyders, Frans (1579 Antwerp 1657). The Boar Hunt. Leaning with his back to a tree the wild boar fights off the pack persuing him from all sides. On the right in the background hunter with dog, both obviously deaf to the wild action. Lithograph printed with ochre tone plate by Johann Woelfle (Endersbach, Wurttemberg, 1807 – Faurndau 1893) for Piloty & Loehle in Munich. 1837-51. 26 x 33 cm.

Robels 224; Nagler XVI, Snyders, 540 ff. + XXII, Woelfle, 50 with the description “roy. fol.” as supposedly referring to the paper size of Piloty’s edition of the “(Most excellent Paintings from the Royal Galleries at Munich and Schleißheim)”. – Comp. Nagler XI, Piloty, 312 ff. – Not in Schwerdt. – On mounted china. – Especially in the broad white top margin and below right in the paspelation quite light foxing spots, a paper injure in the white lower margin backed acid-freely. Otherwise absolutely impeccable.

“ In Rubens’ school Snyders took up the representation of hunts with splendid success, and appears herein even greater than Rubens … Nobody overheard the nature of the wild game like him, and knew to depict them in the highest excitement … in the fight with hounds and hunters for their forest freedom … all qualities and passions of animal nature rise … Snyders is the most genious animal painter with whom every line, every stroke of the brush proclaims the master … paintings united in public galleries (belong) together to the most excellent works of the master ”

(Nagler).

This esteem true till today :

“ The hunting paintings (wild boars, stags) and animal fights are of convincing vigour ” and “ in baroque animal painting he stands at the top ”

(Bernt, Die niederl. Maler and Maler u. Zeichner resp. d. 17. Jhdts.).

Published within Piloty’s representation of the paintings in the Pinakothek at Munich, edited since 1834, since 1837 in connection with Loehle. “This project soon stirred up common interest as the participants … developed a technical perfection not reached till then” and among them Woelfle’s main leaves, too:

“ Especially beautiful are the impressions on Chinese paper … Already at Piloty’s lifetime Woelfle was one of the most excellent workers, and even today only few come near to him except for Hanfstängel ”

(Nagler).

The representation here in any regard corresponding to the original of about 1620 (“Glück and Manneback ascribed the painting, supposedly wrongfully, to Paul de Vos who nevertheless might have co-worked”, Robels; the sketch, R. Z 35, today in the Getty Museum) as already Nagler attests especially to the later issues of Piloty’s gallery work:

“ Finally one was able to give true and complete reproductions of the original paintings in which all difficulties of the technique (had been) overcome to fathom the mind and the character of the original all the more . ”

And therefore

Offer no. 28,067 / EUR  302. / export price EUR  287. (c. US$ 372.) + shipping

“ I received the (Ridinger) prints yesterday in perfect shape due to your careful and thorough packaging. They are spectacular … I believe I can safety say you are Honorable and Trustworthy … You will always have me as a Devoted customer. Regards. And God Bless. ”

(Mr. L. A. F., July 1, 2004)

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