"Hunting Scenes" 1775 - 1785

This monochrome cotton textile depicting "Hunting Scenes" was produced by the Oberkampf Manufactory in France, sometime between 1760 and 1843. It offers a glimpse into the aristocratic leisure activities of the period. Hunting, as depicted here, was not merely a sport, but a social ritual, reinforcing class distinctions and hierarchies. Note how the design meticulously details the attire of the hunters, their horses, and the surrounding landscape. The textile's creation coincides with the rise of industrialization in France, a period marked by significant social and economic change. The Oberkampf Manufactory, like other such institutions, played a crucial role in shaping consumer tastes and desires. These factories often catered to the elite, reinforcing existing social structures through their products. To truly understand this artwork, we need to delve into the archives of the Manufactory, examine period accounts of hunting practices, and consider the textile's intended audience, and the meanings they would have found in it.