Starting of Game 1782

This undated print, titled "Starting of Game," presents an intriguing scene rendered in shades of gray. The composition is structured around three figures and a dog positioned near a tree. This arrangement encourages the eye to move across the scene, noting the contrasts in posture and attire. The print's formalism reveals a narrative tension between leisure and action. The figures, elegantly dressed, occupy a space that suggests both a pastoral setting and a stage. The hunter’s pose, contrasted with the seated woman's relaxed demeanor, creates a dynamic interplay, hinting at a story beyond the immediate visual. In semiotic terms, the attire and accessories function as signs of social status and role. The hunter's gun and the ladies' elaborate hats and fans speak to a complex code of social conduct, prompting us to decode the underlying messages about class, gender, and the rituals of the hunt. The arrangement and its details challenge fixed notions of leisure and labor, inviting ongoing interpretations.