18th Century and Earlier Animal Paintings

Pastoral Landscape Dutch Old Master, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 12 x 10 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: good a...

The New Forest Foxhounds, 19th Century by E G Chapman (19th Century British) 19th Century English portrait of the New Forest Foxhounds, oil on canvas by E G Chapman. Excellent qual...

This painting fits well into the Dutch pictorial production of the Golden century. The composition, built on the harmonious presentation of rich wild game and fine details such as th...

Swans Startled by Dog Flemish Old Master, 18th century oil on bevelled wood panel, framed framed: 14.5 x 17 inches panel: 10 x 13 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition:...

Stilllife with dead Birds, Fruits and Vegetables Oil on Canvas, 101 x 84 cm signed (upper left) „G Libald “ (G and L ligated) Provenance: Private Collection, Brussels; Private Coll...

The Military Encampment Dutch School, 17th century circle of Philips Wouwermans (Dutch 1619-1668) oil painting on canvas, in 18th century gilt frame canvas measures: 19.5 x 17 inches...

Exotic Birds with Still Life of Abundant Fruit Italian artist, 18th century oil on canvas, framed in Rococo period scrolled frame framed: 24 x 38 inches canvas: 22 x 35 inches proven...

Military Camp Scene and Battle. Pietro Graziani (17th/XVIII century), entourage. A pair ( two) of small paintings. Antique 19th century frames in gilt wood.  In good condition. O...

Dead Game Still Life with Still Life of Flowers French partridges and hare. Italian artist, 18th century oil on canvas, framed in Rococo period sc...

George Edwards: ""A History of Uncommon Birds"", 1749-1761. A prominent English naturalist and ornithologist, George Edwards (1694 -1773) is best known for his work, ""A Natural His...

Portrait of Prize Cotswold Sheep In A Landscape, 19th Century RICHARD WHITFORD (1821-1890) Large 19th Century portrait of Prize Cotswold Sheep in a landscape, oil on canvas by Roch...

Oil on panel We'd like to thank dr. Jan De Maere for his advice. The exquisite detail and vibrant composition of this painting attributed to Jan Baptist Bouttats, show a versatile ...

The Favourites Of The Earl Of Orford, Three Greyhounds In A Landscape, 18th Century attributed to George GARRARD (1760-1826) Large 18th Century portrait of three greyhounds in a l...

A fine 18th century Continental School landscape oil painting with animals including cows, horses, dogs, and chickens in a farm setting...

Huge late 17th, early 18th century Italian Old master - A peacock doves and a duck holding flowers in a park landscape at sunset, attr. Angelo Maria Crivelli In a peaceful park land...

Francis Sartorius (1734-1804) A horse and groom with a dog signed 'F.Sartorius.Pinxt' (lower right) Oil on canvas Canvas Size - 14 1/4 x 18 in Framed Size - 16 1/2 x 19 1/2 in Franc...

17th century Flemish Old Master - Orpheus charming the animals with his music The present painting is full of delightful details, such as the unicorn galloping in the distance, the pair of storks in the air, the shiny feathers of the peacock, ... . In ancient Greek mythology, Orpheus was celebrated for his extraordinary musical talent and his ability to charm and enchant all living creatures with the melodies of his lyre. Legend has it that wherever Orpheus traveled, he was accompanied by a menagerie of animals drawn to the uplifting strains of his music.In lush forests and verdant meadows, Orpheus would sit beneath the shade of ancient trees, strumming his lyre and filling the air with melodies that stirred the hearts of all who heard them. Birds would perch on branches, their songs blending harmoniously with Orpheus's own, while deer and rabbits emerged from their hiding places to listen, their eyes shining with wonder and delight.Even the fiercest of beasts, such as lions and wolves, would approach Orpheus with caution, only to be soothed by the gentle rhythms of his music. They would lie down beside him, their wild instincts tempered by the tranquility of the melodies, creating scenes of rare harmony and peace in the natural world.Orpheus's ability to connect with animals through his music was a testament to the universal power of art and creativity. His story serves as a reminder of the profound bond that exists between humans and the natural world, and the transformative impact that music and beauty can have on our lives. Jacob Bouttas, born in Antwerp, Belgium, in 1660, hailed from a family of artists with a rich artistic tradition. Like his father and teacher Frederic Bouttats II and his grandfather Frederic Bouttats I, he was strongly influenced by Jan Bruegel the Elder and the Brueghel-spirit echoes through his oeuvre. He specialized in painting landscapes with biblical and mythological scenes populated by small figures and animals (visible in, amongst other collections, Munich, Alte Pinakothek; Dijon, Musée des Beaux-Arts). A series of twelve coppers dedicated to the creation of the world according to the Genesis story, from the separation of light and darkness to the descent of Adam is preserved in the Museum of Navarra. Provenance: Private collection France Measurements: 75 * 95 cms. Framing options available. Antwerp hands panelmark visible verso, indicating a date of creation of the panel in the first half of the 17th century, after 1620. Panels were expensive at the time, especially this size and approved by the Antwerp panelmalers guild. A similar composition (measuring ca. 73 * 105cms) was offered at a leading auction house in Vienna in 2003 as attributed to Jacob de Backer...

Giovanni Agostino Cassana (c.1658 – 6 May 1720) Venetian Birds with an Upturned Basket of Fruit Oil on canvas: 25 x 35 in. Frame: 33 x 43 in. Abate, or Giovanni Agostino Cassana ...

George Morland (1763-1804) "Piglets" Watercolor. Original Signed & Dated 1791 Unframed 14" x 18" Framed 21 x 26

Francis Sartorius (1734-1804) A horse and groom with a dog signed and dated 'F.Sartorius.Pinxt.1777' (lower right) Oil on canvas Canvas Size - 14 1/4 x 18 in Framed Size - 16 1/2 x 1...

The Country Squire English School, 18th century oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 36 x 27.5 inches provenance: private collection, England condition: large areas of overpainting and re...

The Resting Place Dutch School, mid 17th century oil painting on board, unframed canvas: 7 x 9 inches provenance: private collection condition: very good and sound condition

Watson And The Shark, 18th Century JOHN SINGLETON COPLEY (1738-1815) Large 18th Century scene of Watson And The Shark, oil on metal, John Singleton Copley. Excellent quality and condition late 18th century scene of 14 year old English boy...

This painting depicts a pastoral scene that is attributed to the artist Jan Frans Soolmaker, an artist known for his Italianate landscapes and scenes that often feature equestrian and Arcadian elements. The painting is not signed but is attributed to Soolmaker, relating it to a known signed work by the artist that was sold at Sotheby’s London in 1999. The scene is suffused with the warm glow of a setting or rising sun, casting a soft light that is characteristic of Soolmaker’s landscapes. It shows a shepherd guiding a group of cattle across a shallow stream, with the animals taking center stage in the composition. The animals are rendered with careful attention to their forms and the play of light on their bodies, which is a hallmark of Soolmaker's work. The landscape is composed of a rocky terrain with trees and shrubbery, creating a sense of depth and natural beauty that invites the viewer to explore the scene further. The background suggests a vast, open landscape with distant mountains, which adds to the Italianate feel of the painting. The sky is dramatic, with clouds catching the light of the sun, contributing to the overall serene yet dynamic atmosphere of the work. The provenance of the painting is notable, having been in the possession of significant historical figures such as Swedish Prince Fredrik Adolf, and later The collection of Pär Ulmgren, The collection of Gösta Stenman, and Engineer and politician Gustaf Henry Hansson. Potential buyers have the option of choosing between a newly made gold frame or an older brown frame, which allows for personalization in how the work is presented. Soolmaker’s work is often compared to that of Dutch painter Nicolaes Berchem, whose style he emulated. Soolmaker's landscapes reflect a similar sensitivity to light and composition, making his works sought after for their beauty and historical significance. Despite the smaller body of work left by Soolmaker, due to his short career, his paintings are valued for their craftsmanship and the legacy of the artist’s brief but impactful contribution to the Dutch Italianate landscape genre. Information: Jan Frans Soolmaker (Flanders 1635‑1685) Shepherd with Sheep...

In this masterly painting, Francesco de Mura presents the meeting of Herminia and the shepherds, a famous episode taken from the seventh canto of Torquato Tasso's Jerusalem Delivered...

John Ferneley Snr (1782-1860 Melton Mowbray) Sir Richard Sutton's foxhounds signed J. Ferneley lower right Oil on canvas Canvas Size 16 1/8 x 20 1/2 in Framed Size 21 x 25 in Proven...

Francis Sartorius British, (1734-1804) Bay Hunter & Groom Oil on canvas, signed Image size: 24.25 inches x 29.25 inches Size including frame: 32 inches x 37 inches A wonderful spor...

Francesco Zuccarelli (Pitigliano 1702 - Florence 1788) - River landscape with knights and medieval village. 53 x 70 cm without frame, 64.5 x 80.5 cm with frame. Antique oil paintin...

John Nost Sartorius (London 1759-1828) Gimcrack with jockey up, wearing the colours of Richard Grosvenor, 1st Earl Grosvenor Inscribed and signed 'Gi...

George Morland (1763-1804) A farmstead in a landscape Oil on canvas Signed 'Morland' lower right Painting Size - 18 1/2 x 24 in Framed Size - 22 x 28 in George Morland was born in J...

Circle of George Morland (British, 1762 – 1804) A grey horse at an encampment Oil on board Indistinctly with signature (lower left) 12.1/8 x 10in. (31 x 40.8 cm.)

Pastoral Landscape by Peter la Cave (fl. 1789-1816) oil painting on wood panel, framed framed: 12.5 x 15 inches panel: 8 x 10 inches provenance: private ...

This superb Dutch Golden Age portrait is attributed to circle of Dutch artist Wybrand Simonsz de Geest. Painted in 1666 it is a full length portrait of a young William Stonestreet. H...

This stunning British Old Master oil painting is attributed to circle of noted bird painter Marmaduke Cradock. Painted circa 1690 it is an excellent example and the sort of collection of birds he loved to paint - a peacock, wild turkeys, a jay in the foreground and doves, all set in a beautiful landscape. A variant of this painting is now in The Tate collection. Unlike many artists, he preferred to paint live birds with all their passions, joys and quarrels. The artist has perfectly capture the dynamics between this group, especially the dove and jay, as they all begin to settle down in the twilight. The colouring and brushwork are superb making this a fantastic British Old Master bird oil painting in a stunning carved gilt frame. Provenance. London estate. Condition. Oil on canvas, 42 inches by 39 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in a magnificent complementary period carved and gilded frame, 50 inches by 47 inches and in good condition. Marmaduke Cradock (1660-1716) was an English painter of birds and animals. Some older sources give his first name as Luke. Cradock was an English painter, noted for his depictions of birds, dead game, and other animals. He was born in Somerton, Somerset and moved to London, where he served an apprenticeship to a house-painter. He was, however, self-taught as an artist, becoming skilled in the depiction of birds and animals. Horace Walpole wrote that "I have seen some pieces by his hand which he painted with a freedom and a fire that entitled them to more distinction". According to Walpole, Cradock deliberately shunned aristocratic patronage. He worked in general by the day, and for dealers who retailed his works; possessing that conscious dignity of talent which made him hate to be employed by men whose birth and fortune confined his fancy, and restrained his freedom. According to the RKD his work as a still life and bird painter was influenced by Melchior d'Hondecoeter, Peter Frans Casteels, and Jakob Bogdani. Sketches in the collection of the British Museum indicate that he based at least some of the birds in his paintings on drawings from life. He tended to paint domestic birds and common wild species, rather than the exotic varieties favoured by some other artists. He sometimes introduced elements of drama such as attacks by predatory animals into his bird paintings, a feature shared with the works of Francis Barlow...

German School (18th century) A German Pointer with hunting Equipment Oil on canvas Canvas Size 42 x 35 in Framed Size 48 x 41 in

Sunil Das - Old Horse 11 x 9 inches (unframed size) 18 x 16 ( Expected framed size) Pastel on Sand Paper Circa, 1958 ( Delivered framed ) A very old unique and rare work by the M...

This stunning 17th century Old Master portrait oil painting is attributed to Godfrey Kneller. Painted circa 1680 it is a superb full length portrait of a blonde haired boy holding a struggling bird. He is bare foot and dressed in a white shirt with gold shawl around him. In the background is a blue drape. There is lovely detail and brushwork in his facial features and vibrant colouring. This a superb 17th century Old Master oil painting housed in a lovely frame. Provenance. Two ascribed labels verso Christie's stamp verso. . Condition. Oil on canvas in good condition, 36 inches by 28 inches approx. Frame. Housed in an ornate frame, 43 inches by 35 inches approx. Sir Godfrey Kneller, 1st Baronet (born Gottfried Kniller; 8 August 1646 – 19 October 1723), was the leading portrait painter in England during the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and was court painter to English and British monarchs from Charles II to George I. Kneller was born Gottfried Kniller in the Free City of Lübeck, the son of Zacharias Kniller, a portrait painter. Kneller studied in Leiden, but became a pupil of Ferdinand Bol and Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn in Amsterdam. He then travelled with his brother John Zacharias Kneller, who was an ornamental painter, to Rome and Venice in the early 1670s, painting historical subjects and portraits in the studio of Carlo Maratti, and later moved to Hamburg. The brothers came to England in 1676, and won the patronage of the Duke of Monmouth. He was introduced to, and painted a portrait of, Charles II. In England, Kneller concentrated almost entirely on portraiture. In the spirit of enterprise, he founded a studio which churned out portraits on an almost industrial scale, relying on a brief sketch of the face with details added to a formulaic model, aided by the fashion for gentlemen to wear full wigs. His portraits set a pattern that was followed until William Hogarth and Joshua Reynolds. Nevertheless, he established himself as a leading portrait artist in England. When Sir Peter Lely died in 1680, Kneller was appointed Principal Painter in Ordinary to the Crown by Charles II. For about 20 years (c.1682-1702) he lived at No. 16-17 The Great Piazza, Covent Garden. In the 1690s, Kneller painted the Hampton Court Beauties depicting the most glamorous ladies-in-waiting of the Royal Court for which he received his knighthood from William III. He produced a series of "Kit-cat" portraits of 48 leading politicians and men of letters, members of the Kit-Cat Club. Created a baronet by King George I on 24 May 1715, he was also head of the Kneller Academy of Painting and Drawing 1711–1716 in Great Queen Street, London, which counted such artists as Thomas Gibson amongst its founding directors. His paintings were praised by Whig members including John Dryden, Joseph Addison, Richard Steele, and Alexander Pope. On the landing in Horsham Museum hang works of art from the Museum's extensive painting collection, featuring a large 18th-century portrait of Charles Eversfield and his wife, of Denne Park House. In the painting Eversfield is giving his wife some violets which signifies fidelity, love and honesty. It is likely that the picture was cut down at some time as it was unusual to stop just below the knee. It may have been painted by more than one person: someone who specialised in clothing, another in drapes, and so on, with perhaps Kneller painting the heads, for it was the portraits that gave the sitters their identity, everything else is rather formulaic. He married a widow, Susanna Grave, on 23 January 1704 at St Bride...

The Fox Hunting Party, dated 1770 John Nost SARTORIUS (1759-1828) - names of the hunting party fully inscribed by the artist verso Large 18th Century English Fox Hunting Party land...

This superb Old Master later 17th/early 18th century oil painting is attributed to Baroque painter and German born animal artist Philipp Peter Roos. He was active in and near Rome fr...

This beautiful 18th century Italian Old Master oil painting is something rather special. Painted circa 1750 the subject matter is Saint John the Baptist as a very young child. He is ...

A white poodle, sitting upright on its hind legs. Oil on canvas in a giltwood frame, bearing a plaque 'Henry Bernard Chalon 1770-1849'. Canvas size: 33 x 26cm In frame: 45 x 37cm Provenance: Phillips sale, London, 24 November 1998, lot 140. David Messum, London One of the more important painters of his time, Chalon was the son of Jan Chalon, a Dutch musician and engraver from Amsterdam (1749-95), and 'Jackey' Barnard, the daughter of Sir John Barnard, a financier, London merchant, Lord Mayor and M.P. (1722-61). Chalon studied at the Royal Academy schools and married a sister of the artist James Ward. Their daughter Maria A. Chalon became a miniaturist. Chalon became estranged from his wife and James Ward tried, unsuccessfuly, to damage his career. Chalon had considerable success as a painter and in 1795 was appointed animal painter to the Duchess of York...

Oil on canvas Joined with a certificate by dr. Jan De Maere (16/01/2023) Dimensions: 51 x 73 cm, 70 x 92 cm (framed) In this study, two young eer calves stand as a harmonious duo...

This stunning Old Master 17th century oil portrait painting is attributed to Francesco Fieravino, an artist famous in his day for still lifes and carpets. This painting which dates t...

The Military Encampment Circle of Carel van Falens (1683-1733, Flemish) oil on canvas, unframed canvas: 8 x 10.5 inches provenance: private collection, UK condition: very good and so...

The Lion of St. Mark Venetian Old Master, mid 18th century circle of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (Venetian, 1696-1770) ink and watercolour drawing on paper mounted on a card frame, unf...

This superb Italian 17th century Old Master animal oil painting is attributed to Baroque artist Giovanni Agostino Cassana. Painted circa 1650 the composition is of two rabbits, a gui...

Pieter Boel, Flemish Old Master, painted this stunning 17th century still life oil painting. Painted circa 1660 it is a large and impressive still life with dead game surrounded by f...

This lovely Dutch Old Master oil painting is attributed to noted Dutch artist Nicholaes Berchem. Painted circa 1665 it is a charming pastoral scene of a shepherd and his animals including sheep, goats, donkey and cows and of course his trusty dog. They are all resting beneath trees while he looks on attentively. The light in the sky and the light and shadows on the animals is beautiful. A really superb example of Dutch Old Master art with great detail. Provenance. Surrey estate. Christies stamp verso. Condition. Oil on canvas, 38 inches by 32 inches and in good condition. Frame. Housed in a complementary gilt frame, 46 inches by 30 inches and in good condition. Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem (1620-1683) was a highly esteemed and prolific Dutch Golden Age painter of pastoral landscapes, populated with mythological or biblical figures, but also of a number of allegories and genre pieces. He was a member of the second generation of "Dutch Italianate landscape" painters. These were artists who travelled to Italy, or aspired to, in order to soak up the romanticism of the country, bringing home sketchbooks full of drawings of classical ruins and pastoral imagery. His paintings, of which he produced an immense number, (Hofstede de Groot claimed around 850, although many are misattributed), were in great demand, as were his 80 etchings and 500 drawings. His landscapes, painted in the Italian style of idealized rural scenes, with hills, mountains, cliffs and trees in a golden dawn are sought after. Berchem also painted inspired and attractive human and animal figures (staffage) in works of other artists, like Allaert van Everdingen, Jan Hackaert, Gerrit Dou, Meindert Hobbema and Willem Schellinks. Born in Haarlem, he received instruction from his father Pieter Claesz, and from the painters Jan van Goyen, Pieter de Grebber, Jan Baptist Weenix, Jan Wils and Claes Cornelisz. Moeyaert. According to Houbraken, Carel de Moor told him that Berchem got his name from two words "Berg hem" for "Save him!", an expression used by his fellows in Van Goyen's workshop whenever his father chased him there with the intent to beat him. No trip or Grand Tour by Berchem was documented by Houbraken though he mentioned another story about the "Berg hem!" nickname which came from Berchem's conscription as a sailor; the man in charge of impressment knew him and sent him ashore with the words "Save him!". Today his name is assumed to come from his father's hometown of Berchem, Antwerp. According to the RKD he traveled to Italy with Jan Baptist Weenix, whom he called his cousin, in 1642–5. Works by him are signed both as "CBerghem" and "Berchem". In 1645 he became a member of the Dutch reformed church and married the year after. According to Houbraken he married the daughter of the painter Jan Wils, who kept him on a short allowance, but to finance his collection of prints he would borrow money from his pupils and colleagues and pay them back from the proceeds of paintings that he didn't tell her about. Around 1650 he travelled to Westphalia with Jacob van Ruisdael, where a dated piece showing Burg Bentheim is recorded. Maybe Berchem went to Italy after this trip and before he moved to Amsterdam - he is not clearly documented in the Netherlands between 1650 and 1656. Around 1660 he worked for the engraver Jan de Visscher designing an atlas. In 1661-1670 he is registered in Amsterdam and in 1670 he moved back to Haarlem, but was living back in Amsterdam by 1677, where he died in 1683. He was a popular teacher and his pupils were Abraham Begeyn, Johannes van der Bent, his son Nicolaes, Isaack Croonenbergh, Simon Dubois, Karel Dujardin, Johannes Glauber, Pieter de Hooch, Jacob van Huchtenburg, Justus van Huysum...

Abraham Begeyn, Dutch Golden Age painter and Prussian court painter painted this wonderful 17th century Old Master oil painting. Painted circa 1690 and signed lower right, the subjec...

Gerard ter Borch (II) (1617-1681), copy after, around 1700 'Boy Fleaing a Dog' Oil on canvas Professionally restored (cleaned and relined) In modern frame in 17th century style Dimensions excl. frame: 33 x 27,5 cm. Dimensions incl. frame: approx. 50 x 45,5 cm. Depcited is a boy busy fleaing a dog. The boy sits on a chair with the dog on his lap. On a table on the right there is a book and a pen. On a wooden bench lies the boy's hat. What is unique about this painting by Ter Borch, is the relationship that is depicted between human and animal. Mostly animals like dogs where depicted as an attribute in paintings in the 17th century, and sometimes used to symbolize certain character traits. This boy is lovingly caring for his dog, which he is giving his full attention. Another interesting detail is that Ter Borch's brother Moses, was probably the model for this painting. Ter borch often used family members as models for his paintings. Moses was also a very talented painter and draughtsman. Several copies of this work by Ter Borch are known. One of these copies is in the collection of the Dutch Rijksmuseum (Image included in the image gallery (last image)). The original painting is in the collection of the Alte Pinakothek museum in Munich, Germany. Gerard ter Borch, also known as Gerard Terburg, was a Dutch genre painter who lived in the Dutch Golden Age. He influenced fellow Dutch painters Gabriel Metsu...

Early naturalistic wildlife rendering by the English artist Peter Paillou. The work features a delicately rendered depiction of a possible capuchin monkey from an 18th century specim...

A delicate oil on canvas landscape capriccio of an Arcadian landscape with figures and sheep and goats in the foreground. A stormy sky and blasted tree populate the landscape and the...

Paul de Vos was a Flemish painter who is considered one of the greatest masters of still life in the 17th century. His work was immensely popular and was commissioned by princely courts and hunting pavilions. He was the younger brother of Cornelis de Vos, famous portrait painter. He studied in Antwerp with Denis van Hove (in 1604), David Remeus (in 1605) and Frans Snyders (after 1611), master of baroque still life and animal compositions. The works of the latter had a particularly noticeable impact on the composition of the work of Pauvel de Vos. He worked mainly in Antwerp. In 1620 he became a free master of Antwerp and joined the guild of Saint Luke of that city. De Vos’s work was immensely popular, international fame came to the artist in the early 1630s, when he repeatedly carried out orders from the Flemish and Spanish nobility...

This simply stunning German 18th century Old Master oil painting is by noted artist C.L. Braun, signed lower right on the table edge. It was painted circa 1780 and has the look of a...

Outstanding early 18th-century portrait of a seated Spaniel dog in a landscape with an array of fruits. Attributed to the work of Tobias Stranover. ...

Flemish school, 17th century Orpheus and the animals Oil on canvas, 146,5 x 217 cm Provenance: South German private collection. On an impressive, room-filling format, this painting depicts "Orpheus and the Animals." The harp-playing Orpheus sits centrally in front of a tree whose trunk bifurcates above his head. This central tree frames with its crown the scenery towards the horizon and at the same time offers through branches the possibility for many birds to find space. The left half of the picture is characterized by a seascape, at the edge of which the ruins of a castle can be seen deep in the background. This seascape, framed by mountains on the horizon, is the only area where sky can be seen. On this side, waterfowl such as storks, swans and ducks can be seen. In the right half, the viewer looks into a deep European forest. On this right side, more land animals can be found, such as deer, rabbits and lions, among others. Orpheus wears opulent red and gold trimmed clothing, under his blue breastplate we see a white shirt. His feet are adorned by elaborate sandals. His head is surrounded by a radiant laurel wreath ("poeta laureatus"). The young man is clearly identifiable as the singer and poet of Greek mythology, Orpheus, by his harp, the laurel wreath and the animals surrounding him. Orpheus was one of the Argonauts who, under Jason, was searching for the Golden Fleece. He sang so beautifully that he even conquered the angry sea and enemies by the magic of his lyre. During the journey, Orpheus is said to have drowned out even the sirens with his singing. It is said that he was the greatest of all poets and charmed people, animals, stones and trees with his singing. In total, 51 birds and 37 different species are depicted in the painting. The animals are mostly depicted in great detail and, except for a few, can be identified. Mainly European species of animals are shown. Exceptions are the ostrich-like nandu peeking out from behind the deer, as well as the large parrot on the upper left, and the two lions. Similar is the case for the large animal directly behind Orpheus on the right. The shape of the head suggests an arctic fox from the polar regions, even though the body is much too large. The arctic fox was first described in 1555 by Olaus Magnus. However, it could also be a depiction of a brown or black bear. An unusual detail is the animal, which is relatively isolated in the right background and looks to the left. It is not clearly identifiable, but it shows certain similarities with the Australian kangaroo. This was first described by Vespucci in 1500 and further by Francisco Pelsaert in 1629. If it is indeed a kangaroo, this would be one of the earliest surviving pictorial representations. In this painting, Orpheus is accompanied by a small monkey playing a viola da gamba. This is an iconographic peculiarity. In general, this painting has some peculiarities compared to other paintings with "Orpheus and the animals". The central positioning of Orpheus is quite common, but he usually holds a lyre and is dressed in an antique style, but not as opulently. The choice of animals is also remarkable: European animals in particular are seen, hardly any exotic features, such as camels or elephants. The two lions in the right foreground are a quotation from Peter Paul Rubens and his depiction of "Daniel in the Lion's Den", which was realized in an engraving. The present painting can be classified as belonging to the Flemish School of the 17th century on the basis of its painterly and compositional conception. From the circle of Jan Brueghel the Younger are numerous representations of this Orpheus - theme, which take it as an opportunity to show as many exotic animals. There are also echoes of Spanish painters such as Juan de Arellano...

Late 17th Century Italian School. The Return of the Ark on the Covenant, Oil on Canvas, in a Fine 17th Century Italian Frame, canvas: 40.25" x 49.75" (102.3 x 126cm) Fine quality and rare 17th century Italian Old Master...

A saddled chestnut hunter tethered to a post at the entrance to stables with a wooded landscape and a hill beyond. Signed and dated lower left, 'T. Beach pt., 1785'. Provenance: Anonymous sale, London, Christie's 28 May 1999. lot 15 Thomas Beach was essentially known as a portrait artist and the present painting is a rare example of his skill as an animal painter. His ability to convey a sense of the character of his sitters is evident here in the remarkably sensitive portrayal of the horse's expression. Beach painted...