Members of the Carrow Abbey Hunt 1780

Curator: Here we have Philip Reinagle's "Members of the Carrow Abbey Hunt," currently residing at the Tate. The canvas is quite large, roughly 117 x 155 cm. Editor: It feels staged, almost performative. Look at the men, so still, amidst the restless energy of the dogs. Curator: Indeed, Reinagle’s work speaks volumes about the social rituals of the English gentry. The hunt itself was a highly structured social event, reinforcing class boundaries and land ownership. Editor: And materially, it’s fascinating. The contrast between the smooth, almost porcelain skin of the men and the rougher textures of their hunting clothes, the wooden stocks of the rifles above them. It all speaks to the craft of creating these identities. Curator: Absolutely. Reinagle’s attention to detail underscores how these men curate their image through dress, leisure activities, and even the trophies displayed on the walls. Editor: It makes you wonder about the labor involved in producing these materials, the unseen hands that contribute to this carefully constructed world of leisure. Curator: A potent reminder of the complex power dynamics embedded within seemingly simple scenes. Editor: It shifts how I see the work, noticing the visible labor and invisible labor that the artist's hand captured and the history leaves out.