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Jacob de Gheyn, II

A Huntsman with a Dead Hare and a Dog (Study for "Terra")

1590/95
Pen and brown ink and brush and gray wash, over touches of charcoal, ruled with pen and black ink, on ivory laid paper, incised with a stylus for transfer, laid down on cream laid paper
16.7 × 13.7 cm (6.6 × 5.4 in)

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

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FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

One of a group of four allegorical representations of the elements, this drawing reflects Jacques de Gheyn II’s innovative approach to the subject. Instead of gods and goddesses, De Gheyn chose earthly figures like a hunter to characterize Earth (Terra), a falconer to represent Air, a fisherman as Water, and a woman cooking game as Fire. The humble image belies his careful incorporation of different media: he layered ink and ink wash over a preliminary sketch executed in charcoal.

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