Herten nagejaagd door jachthonden

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This etching by Richard Gaywood, dated 1671, portrays a lively hunting scene titled "Herten nagejaagd door jachthonden" (Deer chased by hunting dogs). The composition captures the speed and tension of pursuit, with hounds in full chase after fleeing deer—a subject that appealed to 17th-century audiences fascinated by nature, sport, and the drama of the chase. Gaywood, an English printmaker active in the mid-to-late 1600s, specialized in such animal and sporting subjects, often working in the tradition of Francis Barlow. Measuring just 169 by 226 millimeters, the small scale suits the intimate viewing experience typical of etchings, which were prized for their fine lines and ability to suggest rapid motion. The medium allowed Gaywood to render fur, foliage, and leaping forms with economical yet expressive strokes, making the print both affordable and collectible. The collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further attests to the work’s later appreciation, indicating it passed through distinguished hands and survives as a vivid record of Baroque-era sporting imagery.

About the Artist

Richard Gaywood · 1620–1680

Richard Gaywood (fl. 1650–1680) was an English engraver and printmaker who became the most prolific etcher working for the London print trade during the tumultuous years between the English Civil Wars and the Restoration. A pupil of the renowned Wenceslaus Hollar, Gaywood mastered his teacher's distinctive style while developing a thriving practice creating portraits and book frontispieces for Lon...