Still life with fox and pheasant
Refined hunting still life signed by Franz Anton Grafenstein (bottom center), one of the most appreciated animal painters active in 18th-century Vienna, known for his production for European aristocratic commissions.
Having trained at the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna, the artist specialized in the representation of animals and hunting scenes, developing a style characterized by great naturalistic attention and accurate rendering of surfaces and fur, in line with the Central European tradition and influenced by masters such as Johann Georg de Hamilton.
The work presents a balanced composition with a fox and a pheasant, rendered with fine luminous sensitivity and remarkable precision in details. The care in describing the plumage and animal fur, combined with a calibrated chiaroscuro effect, gives the scene a strong visual and decorative impact.
This type of subject, particularly appreciated by aristocratic patrons, was intended to adorn noble residences and representative environments. The quality of execution and the elegance of the composition make the painting a significant example of Grafenstein's work, which is highly sought after by collectors today.
Technique: oil on canvas
Dimensions: 52 x 47 cm (non-original frame 67 x 61 cm)
Period: 18th century
Author: Franz Anton Grafenstein (Vienna, 1717 – 1780)
Restoration: conservative intervention
Provenance: private collection
