After the Hunt
John Fery (Austrian/American, 1859–1934)
Oil on canvas, ca. 1890
18 x 28 in.
Signed lower left
In this evocative still life, After the Hunt, John Fery turns his practiced eye from sweeping Western landscapes to the quiet drama of the game-laden forest floor. A rabbit, ducks, and wild fowl lie in striking detail beneath the hazy presence of hunters in the distance. With remarkable realism, Fery captures both the rich textures of fur and feathers and the somber finality of the moment.
Best known for his grand portrayals of the American West commissioned by the Great Northern Railway, Fery here displays a different facet of his talent—careful composition, refined brushwork, and a reverence for nature. This work reflects 19th-century traditions of sporting art, blending European academic training with American frontier subjects.
