Nature #363 Rien Poortvliet (1932-1995)

The composition presents a wintry scene dominated by muted blues and browns, evoking a sense of coldness and stillness. A snow-covered landscape stretches across the canvas, punctuated by dense thickets of evergreen trees laden with snow. The ground is uneven, suggesting drifts and undulations beneath the blanket of white.
Central to the work are two foxes engaged in what appears to be predation. One fox lies atop a fallen deer, its posture conveying an aggressive intent. The other stands further away, observing the scene from a slightly elevated position. The deer itself is rendered with a degree of realism, its form suggesting recent death or injury.
The artist’s use of watercolor lends a fluidity to the image; edges are softened and colors blend seamlessly, contributing to the overall atmosphere of melancholy. Brushstrokes are visible, adding texture and dynamism despite the subject matters inherent stillness. The limited palette reinforces the feeling of isolation and harshness associated with winter.
Beyond the literal depiction of a natural event, the painting seems to explore themes of survival, vulnerability, and the cyclical nature of life and death within an ecosystem. The foxes’ actions represent the brutal realities of predation, while the fallen deer embodies fragility and loss. The solitary fox in the background introduces a sense of watchful presence, perhaps symbolizing the constant threat that permeates the natural world.
The compositions lack of human intervention further emphasizes the raw, untamed quality of the scene, inviting contemplation on humanity’s place within the larger context of nature.