Jan Feith – Hunting dogs and wild rabbits Liechtenstein Museum (Vienna)

The composition presents a scene of naturalistic observation centered around a group of hunting dogs and wild rabbits within a landscape setting. The foreground is dominated by two dogs, one poised in mid-leap, its body angled towards the right, while the other rests on the ground, exhibiting an alert posture with focused gaze. Their coats display varied patterns of white, brown, and black markings, rendered with considerable detail that suggests an appreciation for canine anatomy and texture.
A cluster of rabbits occupies the right side of the canvas. They are depicted in various poses – some frozen mid-movement, others seemingly relaxed – evoking a sense of startled alertness. The artist has captured their fur with meticulous attention to light and shadow, creating a convincing illusion of three-dimensionality. Their placement suggests an imminent flight or escape from the pursuing dogs.
The landscape itself is rendered with a muted palette, emphasizing earthy tones of brown, green, and grey. A low hill rises in the background, dotted with trees that are sparsely leafed, hinting at a transitional season perhaps late autumn or early spring. The sky above is filled with dramatic cloud formations – dark, swirling masses that contribute to the overall atmosphere of tension and impending action.
The arrangement of elements suggests a narrative moment frozen in time: the pursuit of prey by hunting dogs. However, beyond this straightforward depiction of a hunt, there are subtle subtexts at play. The rabbits’ vulnerability is palpable; their collective posture conveys a sense of shared anxiety. This evokes a consideration of the precariousness of life within the natural world and the inherent power imbalance between predator and prey.
The artists choice to depict the scene without human presence elevates the focus to the animals themselves, allowing for an exploration of instinctual behavior and the raw dynamics of survival. The dramatic lighting and atmospheric perspective contribute to a sense of realism while simultaneously imbuing the scene with a certain emotional weight – a quiet contemplation on the cycle of life and death within nature’s domain.