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Lot Essay
The composition relates to that of the painting of similar dimensions in a private collection in Barcelona (H. Robels, Frans Snyders, Munich, 1989, p. 327, no. 225, illustrated), where the central group of the wild boar being attacked by hounds is close to the present picture. The main differences appear in the landscape, which in the present work is more open and less wooded, and in the position of several of the chasing hounds. Another similar autograph version, of even larger dimensions is in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (ibid., no. 226). Snyders' hunting scenes were extremely popular amongst aristocratic European patrons, and in consequence, a number of versions of the various animal hunts are known. Amongst those, the majority - indeed almost all - were produced with some degree of studio assistance, as well as some painted in association with independent masters, for example Jan Wildens. The degree and nature of assistance is inevitably hard to gauge, and the current attribution reflects that uncertainty; however, the possiblity that it is signed (the present signature is largely reinforced, but covers old pigment that may be the original), would suggest that Snyders' own involvement is here more central.
As the frames indicate, this picture formed part of the furnishings acquired for Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire, after this was purchased in 1716 by Thomas Parker, 1st Earl of Macclesfield (1666-1732). The moated medieval castle was remodelled at this time and a significant landscape garden laid out. Thomas Parker started his career as a successful barrister before becoming a Whig Member of Parliament for Derby in 1705. In 1710 he was appointed Lord Chief Justice of England, and after the accession of King George I his loyalty to the Crown was rewarded by his being created Baron Macclesfield in 1716. He was appointed Lord Chancellor in 1718, a post he held until 1725, and in 1721 he was created Viscount Parker of Ewelme and Earl of Macclesfield. While both the 1st Earl and his son and successor, George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield (1697-1764), were primarily interested in books rather than works of art, with the exception of those acquired by the 2nd Earl on his Grand Tour of 1719-22, a notable assemblage of contemporary furniture was commissioned for the house. The gadrooned frame of the present picture is very much in character with that collection.
As the frames indicate, this picture formed part of the furnishings acquired for Shirburn Castle, Oxfordshire, after this was purchased in 1716 by Thomas Parker, 1st Earl of Macclesfield (1666-1732). The moated medieval castle was remodelled at this time and a significant landscape garden laid out. Thomas Parker started his career as a successful barrister before becoming a Whig Member of Parliament for Derby in 1705. In 1710 he was appointed Lord Chief Justice of England, and after the accession of King George I his loyalty to the Crown was rewarded by his being created Baron Macclesfield in 1716. He was appointed Lord Chancellor in 1718, a post he held until 1725, and in 1721 he was created Viscount Parker of Ewelme and Earl of Macclesfield. While both the 1st Earl and his son and successor, George Parker, 2nd Earl of Macclesfield (1697-1764), were primarily interested in books rather than works of art, with the exception of those acquired by the 2nd Earl on his Grand Tour of 1719-22, a notable assemblage of contemporary furniture was commissioned for the house. The gadrooned frame of the present picture is very much in character with that collection.