There is something mysterious and attractive in the images of rabbits that are found in the paintings of various artists. These cute creatures often serve not only as a decorative element, but also have deep symbolic meaning. Exploring their role in art reveals fascinating aspects of culture, history, and even psychology, reflecting diverse aspects of the human experience.
In the tracks of rabbits: Symbolism and mysticism in painting
"If you don't know what to say, say it in French" - Alice
Our adventure begins with the irrepressible March Hare, a mischievous denizen of Wonderland whose antics defy the constraints of logic and reason. With his whimsical charm and boundless energy, he sets the stage for an odyssey through the annals of art history—a journey teeming with surprises and delights at every turn.
As we journey deeper into the labyrinth of artistic expression, we encounter an array of "bunny" masterpieces spanning centuries and continents. From the playful strokes of Goya to the sumptuous hues of Titian, and from the intricate engravings of Durer to the lush landscapes of Rousseau, each artwork offers a unique perspective on the timeless allure of our long-eared companions.
Agile rabbit in Montmartre
In the bustling streets of Montmartre, where the aroma of fresh baguettes mingles with the whispers of artistic fervor, one peculiar sight stands out amidst the colorful tapestry of Parisian life—a rabbit leaping from a pan, frozen in time as if caught mid-dance. This whimsical emblem, crafted by the skilled hand of Andre Gilles in 1880, was not merely a stroke of artistic fancy but a herald for one of the most iconic cabarets in Paris.
The Agile Rabbit, as it came to be known, was more than just a venue; it was a sanctuary for the free-spirited souls of the Belle Époque. As the 20th century dawned, this humble establishment nestled in the heart of Montmartre became a magnetic hub for bohemians, drawing poets, painters, and dreamers into its embrace. Within its dimly lit confines, the air was thick with inspiration, echoing with the laughter and musings of luminaries such as Paul Verlaine, Max Jacob, and Guillaume Apollinaire.
Adjacent to the cabaret sprawled the Bateau Lavoir hostel, its nickname—“The Laundry Ship”—a testament to its humble origins and the turbulent lives it sheltered. It was here, amidst the ramshackle walls and creaking floorboards, that young visionaries like Picasso and Modigliani found refuge as they embarked on their quest to conquer the Parisian art scene. Yet, amidst the swirling currents of creativity, hunger often gnawed at the edges of their dreams. A cauldron of steaming soup, a meager offering, stood as a lifeline at the gates of the Agile Rabbit, a gesture of solidarity to ensure that those dwelling within the Laundry Ship would not succumb to the cruel embrace of poverty.
In the annals of artistic lore, a tale of debt and redemption unfolds within the hallowed halls of the Agile Rabbit. In 1905, burdened by financial woes, Picasso made a solemn offering—a painting entitled “Harlequin with a Glass” to adorn the walls of the cabaret. Little did he know that this act of desperation would sow the seeds of his future glory. Today, the same painting that once adorned the humble interior of the Agile Rabbit commands a fortune, a testament to the enduring legacy of those heady days in Montmartre.
Thus, the Agile Rabbit stands not only as a symbol of artistic camaraderie but as a beacon of hope, where the dreams of countless souls were nurtured amidst the swirling currents of Parisian life. In its hallowed halls, the spirit of creativity danced freely, transcending the boundaries of time and space, forever immortalized in the annals of history.
“So different and dissimilar” gathered in Paris in September 1908 at the Agile Rabbit. Picasso threw a costume party in honor of Henri Rousseau and invited the entire city of Paris. Georges Braque, Gertrude Stein, and Daniel-Henri Kahnweiler came to Montmartre. With all honest company, Rousseau declared that he and Picasso were two real worthwhile artists in Paris. In the same year, Rousseau painted his rabbit, perhaps under the impression of a memorable evening.
Socialites with bunnies
In a world where fairy tales intersect with reality, the protagonist of this enchanting portrait emerges not from the pages of a storybook, but from the annals of history itself—meet Princess Maria Lichteinshein, a vision of regal grace and poise. Unlike Alice, the whimsical wanderer lost in Wonderland, Maria Lichteinshein possesses a certainty of her identity—a true princess adorned with the elegance befitting her station.
Captured in a moment of serene splendor, the young princess cradles delicate white bunnies in her arms, their fluffy forms adding an aura of innocence and charm to the scene. It is a tableau that speaks volumes of the artist's mastery—Friedrich von Amerling, a virtuoso of the brush renowned for his ability to immortalize royalty on canvas. As the appointed court painter to Franz Joseph, von Amerling wielded his talents with finesse, crafting portraits that echoed with the grandeur of the Habsburg dynasty.
Von Amerling's journey to artistic eminence was a tapestry woven with threads of exploration and discovery. From the cobblestone streets of Prague to the opulent salons of Vienna, he traversed the continent, absorbing the myriad hues of European culture. Yet, it was his sojourns in distant lands—Egypt and Palestine—that lent his work a distinctive richness, infusing his portraits with an exotic allure born of firsthand encounters with ancient civilizations.
London, with its bustling art scene, proved to be a pivotal chapter in von Amerling's artistic odyssey. Here, he found inspiration in the masterful portraits of Thomas Lawrence, whose virtuosity left an indelible mark on the aspiring painter's craft. Through a blend of talent and astute diplomacy, von Amerling ascended to the echelons of nobility, earning himself a coveted title and acquiring a stately castle in Vienna—a testament to his success and influence.
Within the hallowed halls of his newfound abode, von Amerling transformed his sanctuary into a haven of creativity, adorning its walls with masterpieces that bore witness to his unparalleled skill. Each stroke of the brush, each subtle nuance of expression, spoke of a lifetime devoted to the pursuit of artistic excellence.
Thus, Princess Maria Lichteinshein's portrait stands not only as a testament to von Amerling's prowess but as a window into a world where dreams and reality intertwine, where the ethereal beauty of royalty meets the tangible artistry of the human hand.
Valentin Serov did not chase titles; he went down in history as an excellent draftsman. In the summer of 1904, the artist visited the Belkino estate (Kaluga region) with the Obninskys and painted “Portrait of Cleopatra Obninskaya with a bunny.” This drawing is considered one of the best lyrical portraits in the artist’s graphics. Serov was well acquainted with this family from a noble Polish noble family. His sympathy for the model resulted in an attractive, soulful image, and of course, the hare plays an important role here - Serov adored animals, they say he paid more attention to the little animals than to the models in his paintings.
Flemish rabbit
Our Flemish artist isn't about to morph into just any animal—no, he's set to transform into a lively rabbit! This delightful moniker was bestowed upon David Koninck by his Dutch counterparts in the illustrious Bent (Birds of Migratory) association upon his arrival in Rome. You see, rabbits were the signature motif of the 17th-century Flemish virtuoso Koninck (1636–1699). Amidst his sumptuous still lifes adorned with exotic birds and animals, the endearing faces of rabbits would invariably peek out, nestled amidst delicate rose petals and resplendent peacock feathers.
Koninck's artistic journey began under the tutelage of the renowned Antwerp painter Pieter Buhl, whose guidance paved the way for his own distinctive style. Venturing beyond the confines of his homeland, Koninck embarked on a creative odyssey, spanning Paris, where he diligently crafted sketches for the Royal Tapestry Manufactory between 1664 and 1669. His travels didn't cease there; in 1670, after extended sojourns in Bavaria and Vienna, he embarked on an exhilarating pilgrimage to Italy, a pivotal chapter in his artistic evolution.
Easter Bunny for the Duke by Titian
Enter the enchanting tale of "Madonna with the Rabbit," a masterpiece commissioned by none other than Titian himself, at the behest of the illustrious Duke of Mantua, Federico Gonzago II. Preserved through time, a letter penned by Giambattista Malatesta, the Duke's envoy in Venice, unveils Titian's solemn pledge to complete the ethereal "Madonna and Child and Saint Catherine" by the Easter festivities.
Rumors whisper of the muse behind the Madonna's serene countenance—none other than Titian's own beloved wife, Cecilia, lending her grace to the divine portrayal. And who lurks in the pastoral backdrop? Some whisper it's the Duke of Gonzago himself, immortalized as a shepherd in the artist's reverent brushstrokes.
Yet, the canvas's journey takes a dramatic turn in 1627 when Vincenzo Gonzago, heir to Federico's legacy, parts with the cherished painting, exchanging it for Cardinal Richelieu's favor. But fate has more whimsical plans in store. Picture the scene: a lively game of ball between the cardinal's heir and the Sun King himself, Louis XIV. In a flurry of excitement, the heir wagers his prized collection, only to succumb to the capricious hand of fortune. Five thousand livres lighter, and 25 paintings poorer, the cardinal's heir reluctantly surrenders the "Madonna" into the king's eager hands.This is how the “Madonna” ended up in the royal collection, and is now kept in the Louvre.
Let's keep the planet alive
Contemporary American artist Kevin Sloan paints exclusively “the silent inhabitants of our planet.” He himself says that he continues the traditions of the 17th century - the era of the Great Geographical Discoveries, when artists painted previously unseen animals brought from new countries and discovered them in Europe. Kevin cites Maria Sibylla Merian, a 17th-century scientific naturalist illustrator, and John James Audubon, who documented new animal species in the 19th century, offering scientific and aesthetic insights into the world of exotic flora and fauna as his teachers.
“I add allegorical and narrative elements to my work. I don’t want to paint nature for science, but I want to show our relationship with nature, which is now in danger of becoming a rare and exotic part of our lives.” Kevin Sloan
Hyper-interpretation of nature
Karl Brenders is a Belgian animal artist who studied at the Antwerp Academy of Arts. Karl chooses wild animals, you can see wolves, polar bears, tigers, lions, and it feels like the animals are posing for him - they are so real! Or rather, hyperreal, if we are talking about the “official” name of the style. Let us add that the master is not limited to rabbits.
“The best way to explain is to do it yourself!”, as Alice would say
This is exactly what Albrecht Durer did and painted his famous hare, and at the same time taught the next generations of the artist to draw. This drawing was important to its author and is one of the artist's earliest dated works. And some experts suggest that Durer painted himself in the image of the animal and this is a kind of self-portrait of the artist.
Enter the world of Hans Hoffmann, a meticulous craftsman whose brush danced in the shadows of the legendary Albrecht Dürer. Born in 1530, Hoffmann was not merely a student of Dürer's art; he was a devotee, a disciple eager to replicate the master's strokes with unwavering precision.
Take, for instance, his rendition of the bunny—a charming creature immortalized on canvas with such finesse that it could easily be mistaken for the handiwork of Dürer himself. Hoffmann's dedication to his craft knew no bounds, and his commitment to preserving the legacy of his esteemed predecessor was nothing short of remarkable.
Yet, Hoffmann was not content with mere imitation. With each stroke of his brush, he infused his own spirit into Dürer's compositions, breathing new life into timeless subjects. His mastery of technique was such that many of his works found themselves passing as authentic Dürer paintings, a testament to his skill and artistry.
But beyond the accolades and the acclaim, there lies a story of reverence and admiration—a tale of an artist standing on the shoulders of giants, seeking not just to replicate greatness but to embody it. Hoffmann's legacy is not just one of skillful mimicry but of artistic evolution, a journey that transcends time and continues to inspire generations of artists to this day.
A little rabbit for the Spanish king
It won't be long before you notice the little bunny in the hands of the clever caballero - a gift for the young dona. Goya painted such romantic scenes for the tapestries of royal castles. In 1775, Goya made Madrid his home, finding solace and inspiration within the walls of his brother-in-law Francisco Bayeu's studio. Bayeu, a distinguished court artist to King Charles IV of Spain, provided Goya with both mentorship and opportunity. It wasn't long before Goya's own talents caught the eye of royalty, propelling him into the esteemed position of royal painter.
Amidst the stifling heat of the Madrid summer of 1786, Goya embarked on a monumental project—crafting a series of cartons to adorn the walls of the royal dining room in the opulent Pardo Palace. Among these masterpieces, "Spring," "Summer," and "Winter" emerge as shining exemplars of Goya's genius, each brushstroke imbued with the vibrant essence of the seasons.
So, as you gaze upon Goya's creations, let yourself be swept away by the fervor of his imagination, for within each canvas lies a testament to the enduring power of art to illuminate the human experience.
In conclusion, studying the meaning of rabbits in paintings reveals not only historical and cultural contexts, but also the richness of symbolic and metaphorical aspects of their presence in art. Rabbits act as more than just decorative elements, but are often the key to understanding the deeper meanings of works. Their images can reflect human emotions, moral lessons, philosophical concepts and more. Exploring this topic opens up the amazing world of visual art, where even the smallest details can carry great meaning. Thus, the analysis of the role of rabbits in paintings emphasizes their significance as elements of not only the aesthetic, but also the cultural heritage of mankind.
Our catalog contains unique paintings that depict portraits of various animals, including beautiful images of rabbits. Not only are these works of art magnificent works of art, but they also take the viewer into a world of mysterious and enchanting creatures. Each painting is carefully crafted using the artist's skill and talent to capture the unique personality and character of each animal, including rabbits, with special attention to their symbolic meaning and emotional depth. A variety of styles and themes makes it possible to find the perfect piece just for you, so that it can become a striking decoration of your interior or a valuable acquisition for your art collection.