English school; second half of the 19th century.

English school; second half of the 19th century.
"The Squirrel Hunt".
Oil on canvas.
Presents illegible signature.
Measurements: 45 x 62 cm; 68 x 85 cm (frame).
Scene of genre starring two dogs, that oblivious to the viewer, treat a squirrel that scales quickly. The attitude of all the animals in alert position contributes a great dynamism to the scene. This type of scenes became very popular because in a certain way they gather images of bucolic and idealized character.
This work is part of the animalistic pictorial trend that emerged in nineteenth-century Europe, specifically in the genre of representation of hunting dogs and other hunting themes, very much to the taste of the bourgeois clientele of the time. These were pieces of great naturalism and detail. Similarly, the piece in question has its roots in the seventeenth century, when in Europe there was a growing demand for paintings to decorate the homes of the bourgeoisie. Apart from portraits and large canvases with religious, historical or mythological themes, artists specialized, painting medium-sized works that gradually increased in format, with still lifes, animals, landscapes and genre scenes.