Hawk and three pheasants 1719 - 1772

Hawk and three pheasants is a tapestry made by the Savonnerie Manufactory. The Savonnerie Manufactory emerged in early 17th-century France, during a period of centralized power under the monarchy. This tapestry, with its depiction of a hawk and pheasants, reflects the aristocratic tastes and pursuits of the French court. Hunting, a favored pastime of the nobility, symbolized power and privilege. The tapestry’s imagery, however, is not merely decorative; it speaks to a complex interplay of dominance and vulnerability. The hawk, a predator, embodies the authority wielded by the elite, while the pheasants, symbols of luxury and abundance, become objects of pursuit. This dynamic mirrors the social hierarchies of the time, where power was concentrated in the hands of a few, and resources were often acquired at the expense of others. The emotional tension in the tapestry comes from seeing the pheasants in a position of vulnerability. The piece gives space to think about what it means to be in power, what it means to be vulnerable, and how these positions are transient. The piece is both a celebration of aristocratic life and a subtle commentary on its inherent inequalities.