Dead fox lying in the Undergrowth (1865) by Edgar Degas

Dead fox lying in the Undergrowth - Edgar Degas - 1865

Artwork Information

TitleDead fox lying in the Undergrowth
ArtistEdgar Degas
Date1865
Mediumoil,canvas
Dimensions173 x 92 cm
Art MovementImpressionism
Current LocationMusée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen, Rouen, France

About Dead fox lying in the Undergrowth

The artwork titled “Dead fox lying in the Undergrowth” by Edgar Degas is a compelling piece from 1865. As an oil on canvas creation, it falls under the genre of animal painting and is associated with the Impressionist art movement. The artwork’s dimensions are 173 by 92 centimeters, and it is currently housed at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Rouen in Rouen, France.

The painting depicts a solitary fox that has come to its untimely demise within a dense forest setting. The forest floor, crowded with tall, slender tree trunks reaching skyward, creates a natural sanctuary that seems both silent and somber. The undergrowth, thick with foliage and cast in shadowy tones, holds the central figure—a lifeless fox, whose rich reddish-brown fur stands in contrast against the more subdued hues of its surroundings. The animal is rendered with an attention to detail that conveys the stillness of death without drama or overt sentimentality.

Degas’ mastery of light and shadow is evident as he skillfully captures the interplay of light filtering through the trees and casting dappled patterns on the ground. Despite the undeniable quality of workmanship attributed to the Impressionist movement, there’s a certain rawness to this scene that distinguishes it from the more familiar depictions of bustling Parisian life and ballet dancers commonly associated with Degas. Yet, the artist’s ability to evoke emotion through the use of brushwork, composition, and color remains unequivocal, making “Dead fox lying in the Undergrowth” a notable and poignant piece within his body of work.

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