Student Artwork Guide
Copyright This work is in the public domain. Philips Wouwerman died in 1668; copyright lasts 70 years after the artist’s death, so it ended in 1738.
In context
A Hawking Party — Philips Wouwerman
The original measures 21 × 26 cm (height × width), drawn here beside an adult of average height.
Row above: the years. Row below: how old the artist was at the start and at the end of each span — 0 at birth, 49 at death.
Painted when the artist was 32. The artist lived to 49. 12 of the 27 dated works by this artist in our catalogue came earlier.
Shaded: the lifetime of Philips Wouwerman (1619–1668) ▲ this work, 1651 every dated painting, decade by decade
First works: up to 1648 Main working years: 1648–1658 Late works: from 1658
Those three bands split the works this catalogue has a date for into a first quarter, a middle half and a last quarter. They are not the artist’s complete output: a thin stretch may be a gap in the record rather than a quiet spell. The same years with the artist’s life laid along them
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/philips-wouwerman-a-hawking-party-8Y3M9B-en/
Measured from the image
Main colour
Rosy Brown #a89e8d
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 87.5% of all the attention this artist's paintings received over the last twelve months. The catalogue holds 58 works by this artist, of which 25 were looked at at least once. This painting ranks 21 of them, with 2.5% of that attention (100 visits). 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 Haarlem, Netherlands
Born: Haarlem, Netherlands (1619)
Died: 1668
Philips Wouwerman (baptized May 24, 1619 – died May 19, 1668) was a highly prolific and versatile Dutch painter renowned for his depictions of hunting scenes, landscapes, and battle scenes. He stands as a significant figure within the artistic landscape of the Dutch Golden Age.
Born in Haarlem, Netherlands, Philips Wouwerman was the son of Pouwels Joostsz Wouwerman, also a painter, though less known than his son. Details regarding his early artistic training are somewhat scarce. However, it is believed that he studied under Frans Hals (1581/85–1666), a prominent Haarlem portraitist. While Hals’s distinctive style did not heavily influence Wouwerman's mature work, the foundational training likely proved invaluable. Early in his career, Wouwerman was influenced by the bamboccianti tradition, particularly the works of Pieter van Laer (1592/99–after 1642), adopting their focus on everyday life and genre scenes.
Early Influences: Initially emulating bamboccianti painters, Wouwerman’s early works featured depictions of daily life.
Emerging Style (Mid-1640s): A characteristic compositional element emerged – a diagonal slope of land often accompanied by a tree acting as a repoussoir (a device used to create depth). Figures, frequently accompanied by horses, populated these scenes.
Mature Period (c. 1650-1660): Wouwerman developed his individual style, expanding his subject matter considerably. He painted genre scenes, landscapes with travelers, cavalry battles, military encampments, and festive gatherings of peasants.
Mastery of the Horse: Wouwerman is particularly celebrated for his exceptional skill in depicting horses of various breeds in dynamic motion. Art historian Frederik J. Duparc has famously called him "undoubtedly the most accomplished and successful 17th-century Dutch painter of horses."
Characteristic Features: His paintings are characterized by subdued colors, a cool atmosphere, and meticulous attention to detail, creating witty and anecdotal narratives within his scenes. He often combined imaginary southern landscapes with a distinctly Dutch ambiance.
Wouwerman’s works were highly sought after during his lifetime and continued to gain popularity in the 18th century. His paintings found their way into prominent collections across Europe, including those of princely houses in Dresden and St. Petersburg, demonstrating widespread admiration for his artistry.
Prolific Output: Wouwerman was remarkably prolific; early catalogues listed around 800 works attributed to him, later exceeding 1200. A more recent catalogue raisonné (Schumacher, 2006) identifies approximately 570 authentic works, acknowledging the numerous followers and imitators who produced works in his style.
Family of Artists: His brothers, Jan (1629–1666) and Pieter (1623–1682), were also painters, often initially attributed to Philips. While Pieter’s work clearly reflected Philips' influence, he developed a distinct style. Jan was recognized as a more autonomous landscape painter.
Influence on Later Artists: Wouwerman’s style influenced numerous artists, including Jan van Huchtenburgh (1647–1733), the brothers Jan Frans and Joseph van Bredael (1688–1739), and Carel van Falens (1683–1733).
Guild Membership & Civic Role: He was a member of the Haarlem Guild of St. Luke, holding several official positions within it. Beyond his artistic pursuits, Wouwerman also served as an estate agent in Haarlem, reflecting his involvement in civic life.
Philips Wouwerman’s contribution to the Dutch Golden Age lies in his ability to capture a wide range of scenes – from bustling marketplaces and hunting expeditions to dramatic battlefields and tranquil landscapes – with remarkable detail and dynamism. His mastery of depicting horses, combined with his keen eye for anecdotal storytelling, solidified his place as one of the most celebrated and influential painters of his time. A retrospective exhibition in Kassel and The Hague (2009/2010) further highlighted his enduring legacy.
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Look closely
A Hawking Party — Philips Wouwerman
Answer in your own words. There are no wrong answers here — only answers you can explain.
Write a short paragraph about this artwork. Use the facts from the earlier parts of this guide, and your answers above.
The recorded values for "A Hawking Party" by Philips Wouwerman are: bright brightness, gentle luminance luminance.
"A Hawking Party" by Philips Wouwerman displays a unified palette color harmony.
The color identity of "A Hawking Party" by Philips Wouwerman: an earthy palette, dominated by rosy brown (#a89e8d).