The Leap, from Fox Hunting 1828

Charles Bentley created "The Leap, from Fox Hunting", an undated aquatint, etching, and roulette print. It depicts two men in pursuit of a fox, a popular aristocratic pastime in nineteenth-century Britain. The print’s focus on the hunt underscores the gendered nature of the English countryside, where displays of masculine bravado and control over animals marked social status. The riders, donning the uniform of the hunt, sit astride their horses, confidently leaping over a hedge; however, the frantic energy of the animals hints at the violence inherent in this leisure activity. The presence of the dog further emphasizes the collaboration between humans and animals in the subjugation of the fox. Bentley's depiction invites us to consider the social and ethical dimensions of the hunt, and the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the landscape. It serves not only as a record of a specific historical practice, but also as a reflection on the values and power structures of British society.