A HUNTING DOG IN A LANDSCAPE - BY PHILIPP FERDINAND DE HAMILTON (BRUSSELS CIRCA 1664 - 1750 VIENNA)

Period Portraits are thrilled to present this fine, monumental and highly decorative early eighteenth century sporting oil on canvas of a pointer in a landscape wearing a wide collar initialled G V S. 

Philipp Ferdinand de Hamilton  (c. 1664 – 1750). De Hamilton was an 18th-century painter from the Southern Netherlands active in Austria. He was born in Brussels as the son of the Scottish painter James de Hamilton, who taught him to paint. From 1705 to 1750 he was court painter in Vienna, and he is known for hunting scenes like his brother Johan Georg. He died in Vienna.

The thick set and impressive beast stands imposingly within a forest clearing on the scent of his prey.  The animals gaze and stance both communicate its alertness, whilst its mottled coat and well defined musculature contrast perfectly with the leafy forest and setting sun.

Hunting dogs were generally connected to the aristocracy. Only the nobility were allowed to keep hunting dogs, and this would signal status. During the 16th and 17th and 18th century, dogs were depicted in hunting scenes, representing social status. Dogs were usually described by their function; for example, a pointer ‘pointed’ at game for his master and a setter ‘set’ or froze on the spot allowing the guns to see and shoot their prey.

This fine painting is a rare large scale example of the dog portraiture which began to emerge during the eighteenth century due to the increasing importance of dogs in European life. It also benefits from an illustrious provenance, having formed part of the illustrious collection of  Princess Marianne von Orianien Nassau in her museum at Schloss Reinhartshausen.

This monumental sporting oil on canvas is in a most excellent state of conservation and is ready to hang in a later gilded Carlo Marrata style frame.

Higher Resolution images on request.                                           Worldwide shipping available.

Provenance:  The collection of  Princess Marianne von Orianien Nassau in her museum at Schloss Reinhartshausen (museum seal verso) Private Collection United Kingdom.

Canvas: 32.5” x 44” / 83cm x 112 cm. Framed: 41” x 52”/ 104cm x 132cm

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