“While Rungius’ brushwork did get more impressionistic in his maturity, he never sacrificed accuracy in depicting animal anatomy and musculature. In the present work, this loose brushwork is evident in the tall grass and brooding atmosphere behind the canine. Native to Wyoming the prairie wolf, or more accurately the coyote, is smaller relative of the grey wolf with longer ears along with a thinner frame and muzzle. Precision shines through in Rungius handling of the animal’s coarse fur. Variegated hues of gray make up its guard hairs, while the soft underfur is rendered in lighter hues, all contrasted by the jet-black pigment at the tip of the coyote’s bushy tail. Rungius has captured the animal in a three-quarter view caught between stalking its prey and being pursued by the viewers eye – a reminder that coyote’s greatest threat remains humans.”

READ FULL ESSAY: Bonhams

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Carl Rungius at Bonhams

Sir Alfred James Munnings: Crostwick Common, Woman With a Donkey and Geese

Edwin Landseer: The Monarch of the Glen

Rudolf Koller: Outing on the Forest’s Edge

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~Sunnyside