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Boar Hunt
Frans Snyders (Flemish, 1579–1657)
about 1625–30
Medium/Technique
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
220.6 x 505.1 cm (86 7/8 x 198 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of John Templeman Coolidge, Jr.
Accession Number17.322
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsPaintings
During the seventeenth century, dramatic hunt scenes often decorated royal hunting lodges. While Snyders's contemporaries normally put man at the center of such images, Snyders concentrated on realistic observation of the animals. His highly sought-after paintings were often based on portraits of individual hunting dogs. Here, the dog on the far right may be wearing a protective cloak because he was particularly prized by his owner.
InscriptionsLower right, on dog's collar: F. Snyders fecit
ProvenanceBy 1835, Don Infante Sebastián Gabriel Borbón y Braganza (b. 1811 - d. 1875), Madrid [see note 1]; 1837, confiscated from Braganza by Isabella II, Queen of Spain (b. 1830 - d. 1904) [see note 2]; by 1868, returned by the Queen of Spain to Sebastián Gabriel Borbón y Braganza [see note 3]; 1875, by descent to his son, Pedro de Borbón y de Borbon, Duque de Dúrcal (b. 1862-d. 1892); April 5, 1889, Borbón y de Borbón sale, American Art Association, New York, lot 54, sold to John Templeman Coolidge (b. 1856 - d. 1945), Boston [see note 4]; 1917, gift of Coolidge to the MFA. (Accession Date: February 15, 1917)
NOTES:
[1] Inventory, Galería de Pinturas del Serenísimo Señor Ynfante Don Sebastian Gabriel, 1835, no. 205. Archivo de Palacio, Sección Histórica, caja 123, as cited by Mercedes Agueda, "La colleción e pinturas del infante Don Sebastián Gabriel," Boletín del Museo del Prado, III, 8 (1982): 114.
[2] In 1837, Sebastián Gabriel Maria de Borbón y Braganza's possessions were confiscated for political reasons and the paintings were exhibited in the Museo de la Trinidad.
[3] The painting was returned to Braganza when he recognized Isabella II as the Queen of Spain.
[4] The painting was first lent by Coolidge to the MFA on November 1, 1889.
NOTES:
[1] Inventory, Galería de Pinturas del Serenísimo Señor Ynfante Don Sebastian Gabriel, 1835, no. 205. Archivo de Palacio, Sección Histórica, caja 123, as cited by Mercedes Agueda, "La colleción e pinturas del infante Don Sebastián Gabriel," Boletín del Museo del Prado, III, 8 (1982): 114.
[2] In 1837, Sebastián Gabriel Maria de Borbón y Braganza's possessions were confiscated for political reasons and the paintings were exhibited in the Museo de la Trinidad.
[3] The painting was returned to Braganza when he recognized Isabella II as the Queen of Spain.
[4] The painting was first lent by Coolidge to the MFA on November 1, 1889.