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A Hawking Party Setting Out
Adriaen van de Velde, 1666
Acquired by King George IV
The Royal Collection |
Adriaen van de Velde (1636-1672) was the son of the famed Dutch painter, William van de Velde, the elder. His brother, William, The Younger was a celebrated marine painter. Initially, William wished for Adriaen to join his brother in marine painting, however, Adriaen preferred painting animals and landscapes. He was sent to study with Jan Wynants where he quickly became a master painter. Known for his fine paintings of animals, van de Velde also had a great talent for introducing human figures into his epic landscapes. These figures served to provide a counterpoint to nature—in essence making the human’s appear ridiculous in their frivolity when compared to the grandeur of the world around them.
His painting,
A Hawking Party Setting Out, painted in 1666, shows this juxtaposition. The hunting party in their finery looks a bit clownish next to the majestic scenery. In true Dutch tradition, the scene is rendered in jewel-like colors and brushstrokes of brilliant clarity. King George IV was an admirer of Dutch painting and acquired this piece while still the Prince of Wales. Today, it can be seen at the Queen’s Gallery at
Buckingham Palace as part of the Royal Collection.
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