A Huntsman
- Artist: Bonifazio di Pitati
- Date: early 16th century
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A Huntsman" by Bonifazio di Pitati, painted in the Italian north. The painting depicts two scenes that are likely meant to be part of a continuous narrative. In the background, you can see a huntsman following his hound as it chases into the woods after what appears to be a hare.
In the foreground, another huntsman stands on a stone parapet, which may have been intended for a specific setting in its original context. He's dressed similarly to the huntsman in the background and holds a rabbit tied by its ears to a stick over his shoulder. His left hand carries a spear.
Given the style and medium, it's likely that this painting was made to decorate a piece of domestic furniture, possibly as part of a series representing the Labours of the Months. We can see the artist's use of oil on canvas here, which was becoming more common in the early 16th century.
See it in person
A Huntsman hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
