Bunny Bonanza: In Art. In Books. In Movies. As Brands. And Just Big. (Over 80 pics!)

Bunnies in art

Happy Easter, Happy Bunny Day, Happy Christ Resurrection, Jesus Zombie Day and all that. In honor of the holiday, I’m going to share with you a bunch o’ bunnies. Starting with a little bunny Art History and then in literature, in movies, as brands and some of the biggest bunnies in the world. I had to really cull down this post or by the time you finished reading it, it’d be Christmas.

Bunnies in Art

For the purpose of convenience, in this post I am referring to all rabbits and hares as Bunnies. I know that there are several differences, variations in species etc., but for ease and entertainment, today they’re all Bunnies.

Bunnies in art Dieter Roth (1930-1998), Shit Hare, 1975
Dieter Roth (1930-1998), Shit Hare, 1975

First off, there are so many bunny-related and bunny-inspired things out there that I must leave a large majority out of this post. Bunnies, or rabbits and hares, have been prevalent in art for centuries. Early biblical engravings and religious art often had the animal in them. Dutch and Flemish Masters frequently included them as soon to be meals in their kitchen and repast scenes.

rabbits in art Jean-Baptiste Oudry
Jean-Baptiste Oudry , A Young Rabbit and Partridge Hung by the Feet, 1751.

Romantic French painters like Boucher and Fragonard often had the furry little animal in their angelic and cherubic landscapes. Being chased (or eaten) is how they were depicted in many an English hunting scene. Countless Victorian Easter cards and vintage German engraved Easter cards can still be found at many flea markets and antique stores (like the ones shown below).

vintage easter cards
vintage easter greetings

Today they can be seen everywhere from handmade cutesy crafts, as advertising mascots, fun vinyl toys and in many a darker representation as well, such as Joseph Beuys’ film still below.

Joseph Beuys, How to Explain Paintings to a Dead Hare, 1965
Photo of Joseph Beuys’ performance How to Explain Paintings to a Dead Hare, Nov. 26, 1965

To start with, here’s a little serious Bunny art for you. When I say serious, the following pieces go for thousands, hundreds of thousands and millions of dollars – if you can find an available original. The names of these artists are probably fairly well known to many of you. As a a matter of fact, in 2019 artist Jeff Koons’ stainless steel Rabbit (1986) broke the auction record for contemporary art (previously held by David Hockney) by selling for $91 Million in Christie’s Post War and Contemporary sale.

Bunnies By World Renowned Artists:

Albrecht Durer, german engraver and painter 1471—1528:
Albrecht Durer, rabbit

John James Audubon (1785 -1851):
rabbits by John James Audubon

Henri Rousseau (1844-1910):
Henri Rousseau, rabbit with carrots

Barry Flanagan (1941-2009):
Barry Flanagan Rabbit sculpture

Barry Flanagan

Andy Warhol (1928-1987):
Andy Warhol chocolate bunny

Wayne Thiebaud (1920-2021):
Wayne Theibaud rabbit drawing

Claes Oldenberg (1929- ):
Claus Oldenberg calico bunny

claes oldenburg bunnies

Jeff Koons (1955 – ):
Jeff Koons rabbits

Bunnies by contemporary artists, sculptors, illustrators and designers from all over the world:

Masao Kinoshita:
masao kinoshita anatomical bunny woman

Tom Claassen:
tom claassen bunny sculptures IIHIH

Mark Ryden:
Mark Ryden rabbit art

Luke Chueh:
Luke Chueh

Amanda Parer:
amanda parer large illuminated bunnies installation IIHIH

Kathie Olivas:
Kathie Olivas

Frank Kozik:
Frank KozikFrank Kozik

Kozyndan:
Kozyndan uprising and Kozyndan illustrations

Darla Jackson:
Darla Jackson

Morwenna Catt:
Morwenna Catt

Momoyo Torimitsu:
Momoyo Torimitsu bunnies
Momoyo Torimitsu Bunny Cookie Jars

Kim Simonsson:
Kim Simonsson

Haidee Henry:
Haidee Henry

Bunnies in Classic Literature:

Bunnies in Classic Literature
Shown above:
Br’er Rabbit
Mr. Flopears
The Velveteen Rabbit
The White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland
Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit (click the link for a online flip book version)
Uncle Wiggly
Rabbit from A.A. Milne’s Pooh books
and, of course, Pat The Bunny

Bunnies in Movies:

Bunnies in movies
shown above:
Brer Rabbit From Disney’s Song of The South
Thumper from Disney’s Bambi
Roger Rabbit
Harvey (The Jimmy Stewart classic)
Donnie Darko

Bunnies as brand icons:

Bunnies as brand icons
FiFi Lapin
shown above:
General Mills Trix Bunny
The Playboy Bunny
The Nestle’s Quick Bunny, aka the Nesquik Bunny, aka Quicky
Blue Bunny Brand
The Volkswagon Rabbit logo
Blink 182’s Rabbit
Miffy, the dutch bunny (books and branded items)
Warner Brothers’ Bugs Bunny
Jim Benton’s Happy Bunny
The Energizer Bunny
Sanrio’s Melody
And the world’s most fashionable rabbit, Fifi Lapin

And now for some

BIG Ol’ BUNNIES (or Rabbit Record Holders):

And these have all been snopes, hoax-slayer and urban legends verified. They are not photo-shopped or retouched.

Amy, the record holder as of 2008:Amy, the record holder as of 2008

Amy, the record holder for biggest bunny as of 2008
An average sized rabbit atop Amy, who weighs approx 49 lbs.

read the article here.

record winning large rabbit
Karl Smolinksy with Robert

Read the article here.

The 2006 record holder, Herr Rabbit, 22 pounds:
The 2006 record holder, Herr Rabbit, 22 pounds

Also worth checking out:
Bunnylicious, a great blog of all things bunny.
Rabbits In Design
Rabbit Remix
Hopper Home Bunny Blog
Contemporary Rabbit Art

And special thanks to brandsoftheworld, artnet, artfacts, artcyclopedia, allposters, amazon and the individual artists for the use of their images.

Well, that should be enough bunny lore to keep you satisfied until next Easter!