A Sketch for `Foresters Stalking Deer' 1827

John Frederick Lewis’ ‘A Sketch for Foresters Stalking Deer,’ presents a scene rich with gestural brushstrokes and layered textures. The subdued palette of earth tones, punctuated by the white horse and the bright garments, invites us to consider its formal structure. The composition is divided into distinct zones; on the left, a group on horseback, in the centre, figures poised with dogs near a tree, and on the right, a glimpse into the depths of the forest. Notice how Lewis uses diagonal lines to create a sense of depth, guiding the viewer’s eye into the scene. The textured application of paint blurs the distinction between foreground and background, challenging the viewer's perception of space. The artwork destabilises the traditional hunting scene through its fragmented rendering of forms. The brushstrokes, rather than defining solid objects, create an ambiguous visual field, reflecting a shift away from representational accuracy towards a more subjective, sensory experience. Ultimately, the sketch's incomplete quality prompts us to contemplate the nature of perception.