Renard's Parents Ask to Withdraw from the Court from Hendrick van Alcmar's Renard The Fox 1650 - 1675

Allart van Everdingen created this etching, "Renard's Parents Ask to Withdraw from the Court," in the Dutch Republic during the 17th century. It's part of a series illustrating the medieval fable of Renard the Fox. The scene encapsulates the social satire that made the Renard tales so popular. We see Renard’s parents, foxes themselves, seeking permission to leave the Lion King's court, a not-so-subtle commentary on the anxieties of courtly life. The depiction of animals in human-like social situations allows for a critical yet humorous lens through which to view the human condition. The Dutch Republic, with its rising merchant class and complex social hierarchies, found resonance in these tales of cunning and social maneuvering. Van Everdingen’s choice of etching, a relatively accessible medium, suggests a desire to reach a broad audience with this social commentary. To fully understand this work, consider researching the role of animal fables in 17th-century Dutch culture and the social dynamics of the Dutch Republic. This gives us insight into the artwork’s meaning and reception.