Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Joos Vincent De Vos died in 1890; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1960.
In context
Flying Fox — Joos Vincent De Vos
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 37 at death.
Painted when the artist was 32. The artist lived to 37. 18 of the 58 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Joos Vincent De Vos (1853–1890) ▲ this work, 1885 every dated painting, decade by decade
Pick one work above: name two things it shares with this one, and one thing that's different.
More works to set beside this one: originaluniqueart.com/en/art/similar/joos-vincent-de-vos-flying-fox-ARJBBE-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Bronze #c7973d
Catalogued palette
These colours inside the artist’s whole palette Find other paintings by colour
The ten leading countries
Find the three darkest countries on the map. Is the museum that keeps this painting in any of them? Write down one reason people far away might look at it.
Together these works take 100.0% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 59 works by this artist, of which 19 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 4 of them, with 8.0% of that attention. The same counts, month by month
Bars measure attention, not quality. Pick the work at the top and this one: name one thing that might make a painting famous beyond how well it is painted.
Artist and museum
Born in Zundert, Netherlands
Joos Vincent de Vos (1853-1890), a Dutch artist inextricably linked to the legacy of Vincent van Gogh, remains a captivating figure in 19th-century European painting. While often overshadowed by his more famous contemporary, De Vos carved out a distinctive niche for himself through meticulously observed and subtly humorous depictions of animals – primarily monkeys, dogs, and cats – frequently set within the context of churches and monasteries. His work offers a unique blend of realism, psychological insight, and a touch of playful satire, making him a compelling subject for art enthusiasts and historians alike.
Born in Zundert, Netherlands, in 1853, Joos Vincent de Vos’s early life remains somewhat shrouded in mystery. He was the son of Jan Eugene Vos, a miller, and Marie Anne Verhaeghe. His artistic journey began at the Academy of Kortrijk, where he received instruction from Philip De Witte, known for his portraits and genre scenes, and Edward Woutermaetens, who introduced him to the world of animal painting. This early training instilled in him a strong foundation in technique and composition, which he would later refine through independent study and extensive travel. Notably, De Vos’s artistic development was significantly influenced by the burgeoning interest in natural history illustration during this period, providing him with valuable skills in rendering detail and capturing the essence of his subjects.
De Vos is most celebrated for his series of paintings known as "singeries," a term derived from the French word for monkeys. These works depict monkeys engaging in remarkably human-like activities – reading, playing musical instruments, smoking pipes, even mimicking religious figures within church settings. This juxtaposition of animal behavior and human customs creates a delightful sense of irony and invites viewers to contemplate the nature of intelligence, imitation, and perhaps even our own anthropocentric worldview. His compositions are typically small in scale, often framed as if they were displayed in posters or box labels – a detail that adds to their charm and suggests a connection to popular entertainment of the time. De Vos’s meticulous attention to detail, combined with his ability to capture subtle expressions and gestures, elevates these seemingly simple scenes into works of considerable artistic merit.
While Joos Vincent de Vos operated largely independently, his work is often linked to the broader artistic currents of the 19th century. The influence of Bassano Romano’s genre paintings, particularly his depictions of everyday life in Venice, can be discerned in De Vos's use of light and atmosphere. Furthermore, there’s a discernible connection to the Dutch Golden Age painters like Nicolaes Berchem, whose idyllic landscapes and meticulous rendering of objects share similarities with De Vos’s compositions. However, it is perhaps his association with Vincent van Gogh that has garnered the most attention in recent years. Both artists shared a fascination with animals and a keen eye for capturing their personalities, though Van Gogh's approach was far more emotionally charged and expressive. De Vos’s work can be seen as a quieter, more observational counterpart to Van Gogh’s passionate explorations of the natural world.
Despite his relatively short career – he died in Kortrijk in 1875 – Joos Vincent de Vos left behind a significant body of work that continues to fascinate art historians and collectors today. His "singeries" offer a unique glimpse into the social customs and artistic sensibilities of 19th-century Europe, while his masterful depictions of animals reveal a deep understanding of their behavior and psychology. His works are now recognized as important examples of genre painting, showcasing a distinctive blend of realism, humor, and psychological insight. WahooArt.com and other platforms continue to offer high-quality reproductions of De Vos’s paintings, ensuring that his captivating vision endures for future generations. His legacy lies not only in the beauty of his individual works but also in their ability to provoke thought and delight viewers with their subtle charm and unexpected humor.
originaluniqueart.com/en/art/download/joos-vincent-de-vos-flying-fox-ARJBBE-en/
Look closely
Flying Fox — Joos Vincent De Vos
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Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
"Flying Fox" by Joos Vincent De Vos is recorded with a balanced soft saturation.
You can order a hand-painted reproduction of "Flying Fox" by Joos Vincent De Vos directly on its Hand-Painted Reproduction page: a hand-painted oil reproduction on linen canvas, made to order.
The diaporama of "Flying Fox" can be watched on the artwork's Diaporama page.