Created:
Movement:
1835
Romanticism
key Notes:
Dramatic realism, Emotional intensity
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Dimensions:
18 1/16 × 21 1/16 in. (45.9 × 53.5 cm)
medium:
Oil on canvas
story of the work:

"Dying Stag" is a painting by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer, created around 1830. Landseer was known for his depictions of animals, particularly dogs and deer, often imbued with emotional depth. The painting portrays a stag in its final moments, evoking themes of nature, mortality, and the struggle for survival. It reflects the Romantic fascination with the natural world and the sublime. The work is characterized by Landseer's meticulous attention to detail and his ability to convey the psychological state of the animal. "Dying Stag" is part of a broader tradition of animal painting in the 19th century, which often served as a commentary on the relationship between humans and nature. The current location of the painting is unknown.

Description of the work:

"Dying Stag," created by Sir Edwin Henry Landseer around 1830, is an oil on canvas painting that depicts a stag in a moment of distress. The stag is positioned in the foreground, its body partially reclined against a rocky outcrop, conveying a sense of vulnerability. The animal's fur is rendered with meticulous detail, showcasing Landseer’s skill in capturing texture and light. The background features a dense, atmospheric woodland, with dappled light filtering through the trees, enhancing the somber mood of the scene. The color palette is dominated by earthy tones, with rich browns and greens that evoke a natural setting. The composition draws the viewer's eye to the stag's expressive face, which reflects a poignant sense of suffering and resignation. The overall effect is both dramatic and evocative, highlighting Landseer’s ability to portray the emotional depth of animal subjects.

Artwork Photograph Source:
Metropolitan Museum of Art

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Dying Stag