Johannes Spruyt, 'Geese and Ducks', probably about 1660
About the work
Overview
Johannes Spruyt has placed his handsome water birds against a stormy sky. Wind disturbs the grass and stunted trees behind them – perhaps to emphasise that, although these are farm animals, they are healthy specimens, hardy and resilient against the weather.
The white goose beats its wings and hisses at the tiny ducklings. They seem to sail on, curious but undisturbed, but their father turns, alert and ready to protect them. Overhead, a second goose dives down towards a third.
Spruyt gave his birds life and movement and has observed their habits and behaviour, but the colours and details of texture – feathers, beaks, eyes – may be dimmed by coats of old varnish.
Key facts
Details
- Full title
- Geese and Ducks
- Artist
- Johannes Spruyt
- Artist dates
- 1627/8 - 1671
- Date made
- probably about 1660
- Medium and support
- oil on canvas
- Dimensions
- 119.5 × 155.5 cm
- Acquisition credit
- Wynn Ellis Bequest, 1876
- Inventory number
- NG1013
- Location
- Not on display
- Collection
- Main Collection
- Previous owners
Provenance
Additional information
Text extracted from the ‘Provenance’ section of the catalogue entry in Neil MacLaren, revised and expanded by Christopher Brown, ‘National Gallery Catalogues: The Dutch School: 1600–1900’, London 1991; for further information, see the full catalogue entry.
Bibliography
-
1960Maclaren, Neil, National Gallery Catalogues: The Dutch School, 2 vols, London 1960
-
1991Maclaren, Neil, revised by Christopher Brown, National Gallery Catalogues: The Dutch School, 1600-1900, 2nd edn (revised and expanded), 2 vols, London 1991
-
2001
C. Baker and T. Henry, The National Gallery: Complete Illustrated Catalogue, London 2001
About this record
If you know more about this painting or have spotted an error, please contact us. Please note that exhibition histories are listed from 2009 onwards. Bibliographies may not be complete; more comprehensive information is available in the National Gallery Library.