Fox Hunt 1622 - 1653

Gillis (I) Peeters created this print, Fox Hunt, using etching. We don't have a specific date for this work, but it offers a glimpse into the aristocratic culture of the 17th century. The image depicts an elaborate fox hunt, a popular pastime among the European elite. Note how the scene isn't merely about the hunt itself, it’s about displaying power and privilege through land ownership, leisure, and control over nature. The detailed rendering of the landscape around the Chateau de Meudon near Paris, with resting hounds, is contrasted with the figures of the hunters and fleeing animals. The hunt also reflects the hierarchical structures of the time, where the nobility asserted their dominance. While seemingly a harmless scene of recreation, it speaks volumes about social stratification and the uneven distribution of resources. It invites us to reflect on the emotional disconnect required to find pleasure in the pursuit and capture of wildlife.