Title

Wild Boar Hunt

Author

Snyders, Frans [workshop of]

Antwerp, 1579 - Antwerp, 1657

Co-author

Wildens, Jan [attributed to]

Antwerp, 1586 - Antwerp, 1653

Typology

School

Century

Dimensions

Technique

Support

Observations

The Wild Boar Hunt, housed in the Santamarca Collection in Madrid, is an imposing work measuring 209 x 340 cm, attributed to the circle of Frans Snyders, renowned Flemish painter celebrated for his hunting scenes and still lifes. Although cataloged anonymously in the collection’s early inventories, its stylistic and technical features link it directly to Snyders’ art. The painting depicts an intense and dramatic hunt, where a wild boar is pursued and cornered by a pack of dogs, capturing a moment of extreme tension.

At the heart of the scene, the boar struggles desperately against thirteen dogs attacking it from all sides. One dog, protected by a leather armor, bites fiercely into its ear, while another sinks its teeth into the boar’s back. Several more leap or approach the animal, with some already lying on the ground, defeated or injured. The composition, focused on the brutal confrontation, employs bold diagonals that heighten the dynamism and draw attention to this relentless combat. The absence of hunters in the scene emphasizes the direct conflict between the wild animal and its assailants, an artistic choice that sets this work apart from Snyders’ usual collaborations with Rubens or Van Dyck.

The landscape, featuring a vast clearing dotted with trees under a brilliant blue sky, reflects the distinctive touch of Jan Wildens, another frequent collaborator of Snyders. This setting, relatively open compared to denser woodland compositions, enhances the dramatic intensity of the central scene. Snyders excels here in animal expression, capturing with remarkable precision the ferocity of the dogs, the anguish of the boar, and the overall chaos of the struggle.

This work belongs to a series of variations on the same theme, which was particularly popular in the 17^th century. A similar version, now lost, was noted in Antwerp in 1943, while another, broader in scope and featuring boar piglets alongside their mother, is preserved at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. These repetitions, often produced by Snyders’ workshop, reflect the demand and popularity of such scenes. The presence of this painting in Spain also highlights the significance of royal and aristocratic commissions made to Snyders, notably by Philip IV for the Torre de la Parada, or by nobles such as the Marquis of Leganés.

Although the Wild Boar Hunt in the Santamarca Collection is likely a workshop production, it retains all the energy and quality of Snyders’ creations. The meticulous details, expressive modeling of the animals, and richness of color showcase the influence and expertise of the Flemish master. This work perfectly embodies the legacy of grand Flemish hunting scenes, which left an enduring mark on Baroque art and found a privileged place in the royal courts and aristocratic collections of 17th-century Europe.

Related links

Restorations

• Altramentum, Madrid.

  Altramentum

Bibliography

• M. Díaz Padrón (2018): "La Cacería del jabalí de la colección Santamarca, restituida a Frans Snyders en la colaboración con jan Wildens", Tendencias del mercado del arte, vol. 113, pp. 92-93.
• W. Rincón García, e.a. (2017): Colección Santamarca : Esplendor barroco de Luca Giordano a Goya y la pintura romántica, Diputación Provincial de Zaragoza, Zaragoza, pp. 234-237, il. cat. 87.
• S. Koslow (1995): Frans Snyders. Peintre animalier et de natures mortes. 1679-1657, Fonds Mercator Paribas, Antwerp, pp. 236-243.
• H. Robels (1989): Frans Snyders, Stilleben- und Tiermaler 1579-1657, Deutscher Kunstverlag, Munich, pp. 327-328, il. 225.

Locations

• Colección Santamarca, Madrid (Spain) (Inventory number: 182)