This masterful painting, depicting dogs attacking a deer, was executed in the first half of 18th century and was attributed to the hand of the well renowned French hunting and animal painter Jean-Baptiste Oudry (1686 Paris - 1755 Beauvais). He is particularly well known for his naturalistic pictures of animals and his hunt pieces depicting game. His works are situated in the best museums in France and aboard; in Paris: Louvre; Musée des Arts Décoratifs.; École des Beaux-Arts.; Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne), Château.; Chantilly (Oise), Musée Condé; Versailles, Grand Trianon; Schwerin, State Museum and others. For the full biography of the artist see in Wikipedia under following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste_Oudry

Literature: E. Benezit " Dictionary of painters, sculptors, decorators and etchers"(in French), Paris, 1999; "General Artist´s Lexicon " by Thieme/Becker .

Inscription: incribed and dated „J.B.Oudry (1)738“, lower right.

Technique: oil on canvas. Luxuriousy antique baroque style frame.

Measurements: unframed w 25 1/3" x h 20 3/4" (64,5 x 53 cm), framed w 31 1/2" x h 27 " (80 x 68,5 cm)

Condition: in good condition, old professional relining, a few retuschings on the right side from the deer, signature was inspected under UV light.