Artist:
George Cope
(American, 1855 - 1929)
The Hunter's Equipment
Alternate Title(s):The Hunter's Yellow Jacket
Medium: Oil on canvas
Date: 1891
Dimensions:
52 × 32 in. (132.1 × 81.3 cm)
Accession number: 92.24
Label Copy:
George Cope was born near West Chester, Pennsylvania, and lived most of his life in Chester County. He began his career as a landscape painter creating pastoral scenes of the Brandywine Valley. As the popularity of illusionistic trompe l’oeil (paintings that "fool the eye") increased in the late nineteenth century, Cope turned his attention to still-life works featuring hunting subjects. Here, the shallow space and distinct illumination from the side enhance the deception. Cope’s reputation grew, and in the 1890s he received commissions from wealthy collectors in Philadelphia and elsewhere.
George Cope was born near West Chester, Pennsylvania, and lived most of his life in Chester County. He began his career as a landscape painter creating pastoral scenes of the Brandywine Valley. As the popularity of illusionistic trompe l’oeil (paintings that "fool the eye") increased in the late nineteenth century, Cope turned his attention to still-life works featuring hunting subjects. Here, the shallow space and distinct illumination from the side enhance the deception. Cope’s reputation grew, and in the 1890s he received commissions from wealthy collectors in Philadelphia and elsewhere.
Curatorial RemarksGeorge Cope was born near West Chester, Pennsylvania, and lived most of his life in Chester County. He began his career as a landscape painter, studying with artist Herman Herzog and creating pastoral scenes of the Brandywine Valley. As the popularity of "trompe l'oeil" ("fool the eye") painting increased in the late 19th century, Cope turned his attention to still lifes featuring hunting subjects. He was widely known for such work.
"The Hunter's Equipment" creates the illusion of a shallow plane from which various objects project. The illusion is enhanced through a deft depiction of a range of textures, from the soft leather coat to the hard wood door to the rusted nail projecting into the viewer's space.
"The Hunter's Equipment" creates the illusion of a shallow plane from which various objects project. The illusion is enhanced through a deft depiction of a range of textures, from the soft leather coat to the hard wood door to the rusted nail projecting into the viewer's space.