John Bucknell Russell (1819-1893) - Roe Deer Shot in a Woodland Landscape - XL format

An exceptional 19th-century British oil painting of museum quality, dedicated to the themes of hunting and the chase; the work depicts a downed roe deer, masterfully set within a wild and evocative forest landscape. The composition is imbued with a composed, noble solemnity; the animal is rendered with extraordinary anatomical precision, and its coat reflects the damp light of a clearing following a storm. In the background, dense, Romantic-style clouds gather above lush, thick vegetation, creating a profound atmosphere characterized by natural grandeur and Romantic melancholy. The brushwork alternates between detail-rich naturalistic realism on the subject and broader, more dramatic strokes in the rendering of the wild environment. Clearly signed "John Russell," this large canvas represents a prestigious centerpiece for high-end country estates, classic hunting lodges, or collections specializing in European sporting art. Artistic Quality: Excellent technical execution, demonstrating a profound mastery of animal anatomy, textural rendering (the realism of the coat and rocky terrain), and dramatic chiaroscuro, in keeping with the finest traditions of 19th-century European sporting art. Composition: A magnificent example of "game still life" integrated into a natural landscape—a sub-genre highly sought after in British and European auction markets. Signature: Clearly legible as "John Russell," executed in a rich ochre-red pigment in the lower section; the stroke is fluid and contemporary with the work's original paint layer. Frame: Housed in an imposing and elegant Victorian-style gilded wood frame, lending the piece a striking vertical presence and an air of immediate luxury. Condition: Excellent / Very Good (The canvas is stable and well-stretched; the colors retain their original saturation and richness; the magnificent gilded frame is solid and in excellent condition, showing only minimal, negligible signs of age). Material: Oil on original canvas. Technique: Oil on canvas featuring traditional 19th-century glazing; the impressive, high-quality gilded wood frame is included at no extra cost. Period: Second half of the 19th century (circa 1860–1890). Color: Natural earth tones (Ochre, Burnt Sienna, forest green, gold, smoke gray). Signature: Present (John Russell). Painting dimensions cm. 169 x cm. 98.
The lot will be securely packed and shipped via partner couriers with online tracking. Shipping outside the European Community is not available for this lot.