The Watchful Hare by Tonkinson Fine Art

About "The Watchful Hare"

by Tonkinson Fine Art

About the artwork

🐇 The Watchful Hare
Oil on panel | Digitally scanned Giclée print
Scan: 40(h) x 30(w) cm | Max print size: 40x60cm

A hare stands motionless, its tall ears tilted forward, eyes wide and sensing everything. Behind it, the landscape melts into soft tones—a gentle impression of blooming heather that fills the late summer air with color and scent. This is not just a portrait of an animal, but a moment of deep presence within nature.

I painted this hare after encountering it near my home in the Radio Kootwijk nature reserve. It had paused among the heather, not startled but perfectly alert—watching me as intently as I watched it. That brief connection stayed with me. I returned home and painted it, focusing on the stillness and awareness it embodied.

The atmosphere is both tender and watchful, as if the air itself is holding its breath. The hare is a symbol of instinct and transition, of listening to the unseen.

This piece brings a sense of grounded alertness into any space. It’s especially resonant for those who feel attuned to the wild, to animals, or the quiet messages of the land. In an interior, it adds warmth and presence—perfect for calm, earthy rooms, reading nooks, or natural interiors with soul.

Rendered in oil using a classical glazing technique, Leone layered softness over fine detail to create depth and emotional resonance. The hare’s gaze becomes a mirror, gently asking: Are you present? Are you listening?