DISCOVERART

Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert

The Lion Hunt

1621/29
Engraving in black on cream laid paper, tipped onto cream laid paper
40.9 × 58.6 cm (16.1 × 23.1 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

Not currently on view

In the collection of Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · as of July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

Peter Paul Rubens was very particular about the prints made after his paintings, though he embraced the increased fame that they afforded him. Schelte Bolswert’s engraving of The Lion Hunt ably captures the roiling energy of Rubens’s painting. The older artist proudly discussed this painting in a 1621 letter: “I have almost finished a large picture, entirely by my hand, and in my opinion one of my best, representing a Lion Hunt, with the figures life-sized.” Given the printing process’s usual reversing effect, Rubens may have specifically requested that this engraving appear in the same direction as the painting.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by Schelte Adamsz. Bolswert

Forest Crossed by a Stream, from The Small LandscapesForest Crossed by a Stream, from The Small LandscapesLandscape with Shepherd Playing a FluteLandscape with Shepherd Playing a FluteAdrian BrowerAdrian BrowerThe Resurrection of ChristThe Resurrection of ChristLandscape with Sheep, from The Small LandscapesLandscape with Sheep, from The Small LandscapesLandscape with Philemon and Baucis, from Large LandscapesLandscape with Philemon and Baucis, from Large LandscapesSebastiaan VrancxSebastiaan VrancxThe Conversion of Saint PaulThe Conversion of Saint Paul

More like this

The Battle around the Shield and LanceGiovanni Jacopo Caraglio — The Battle around the Shield and The Conversion of Saint PaulPeter Paul Rubens|Johannes Meyssens — The Conversion of SainPlate 6: The Israelites Defeated by the Canaanites for Having Disobeyed Moses, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament'Nicolaus van Aelst|Antonio Tempesta — Plate 6: The IsraeliteBattle of the Milvian BridgeJohann Heintz — Battle of the Milvian BridgePlate 27: The Dutch During a Surprise Attack of the Roman Camp on the Moselle, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas)Antonio Tempesta|Otto van Veen — Plate 27: The Dutch During Plate 2: Abraham Liberating His Nephew Lot, from 'The Battles of the Old Testament'Antonio Tempesta|Nicolaus van Aelst — Plate 2: Abraham LiberAiding the wounded after a battleJacques Courtois — Aiding the wounded after a battleThe victory of Scipio over SyphaxMaster of the Die|Philippe Thomassin — The victory of ScipioPlate 30: Cerialis Driving the Dutch into the Rhine, from The War of the Romans Against the Batavians (Romanorvm et Batavorvm societas)Antonio Tempesta|Otto van Veen — Plate 30: Cerialis Driving The Victory of Scipion over SyphaxMaster of the Die — The Victory of Scipion over SyphaxDefeat of Wittekind near BürbergJulius Schnorr von Carolsfeld — Defeat of Wittekind near BürSpeculum Romanae Magnificentiae: Battle of the AmazonsNicolas Beatrizet|Nicolas Beatrizet — Speculum Romanae Magni