Engraving Boar Hunt

Paul de Vos and his brother-in-law Frans Snyders are among the most renowned Flemish animal painters of the 17th century. Thanks to their close association with Rubens, who often called upon them to depict animals in his paintings, both artists quickly made a name for themselves. Northern animal painting...

Paul de Vos and his brother-in-law Frans Snyders are among the most renowned Flemish animal painters of the 17th century. Thanks to their close association with Rubens, who often called upon them to depict animals in his paintings, both artists quickly made a name for themselves. Northern animal painting was then experiencing a golden age. Hunting scenes, the preserve of the elite and a symbol of power and might, were highly sought after by collectors.
In this work, the two painters depict a wild boar hunt. At the time, the wild boar was regarded as one of the strongest and most powerful wild animals. Hunting it was, in fact, one of the most prestigious pursuits.