Lot 1055 Dα

Paul de Vos, painter of animals, created a large and characteristic oeuvre. His brother-in-law, Frans Snyders, had little influence on his work in comparison to Rubens who supposedly encouraged him to find his own way as an artist (Thieme-Becker). Contrary to Snyders, de Vos was interested in animal psychology, in the expression of their fear, their strength, their instinct, and as such in the illusion of the fleeting moment. His highly agitated animal scenes use a soft and flowing palette in addition to a somewhat nervous and temperamental texturing, which reaches the almost impressionistic style of Rubens. In his very personal style de Vos influenced the development of hunting scenes. Works by Jan Fyt, Desportes and David de Coninck clearly reflect his style. A similar painting is in the Musée des Beaux-Art, Lille, and could be a workshop replica of this painting.