Design for the Frontispiece of "The British Sportsman" 1770 - 1823

Samuel Howitt's "Design for the Frontispiece of 'The British Sportsman'" is a watercolor and ink drawing depicting a scene of hunting. The image, likely meant to serve as a frontispiece for a book on the subject, features a collection of dead animals: a deer, rabbits, birds, and a fox. The scene is set in a wooded area with the inscription "The British Sportsman" on a stone slab visible in the background. The stark visual of the animals arranged on the forest floor provides a powerful commentary on the realities of hunting during the 18th and 19th centuries. Howitt's work is considered a significant example of 19th-century British art, demonstrating his talent for depicting the natural world with both accuracy and artistic flair.