Portret van twee mannen in jachtkostuum 1879

Henri Blanckart made this photograph of two men in hunting gear sometime in the second half of the 19th century. It captures a staged moment of leisure and camaraderie, but also reflects the social stratification and cultural values of its time. Hunting, particularly in the 19th century, was an activity associated with the aristocracy and the upper middle classes. It was a display of wealth and status but also reinforced a particular vision of masculinity and dominance over nature. The men's clothing, poses and the inclusion of a hunting dog construct a narrative of country life as the preserve of a social elite. To fully understand the image we would want to examine the social history of hunting practices in 19th century Europe and consult contemporary publications that promoted hunting as a social ritual. Understanding the visual codes of class, gender, and the natural environment can help us better grasp how social institutions shaped artistic production and reception during this period.