Freeman, the Earl of Clarendon’s gamekeeper, with a dying doe and hound 1800

George Stubbs painted "Freeman, the Earl of Clarendon’s gamekeeper, with a dying doe and hound," sometime in the late 18th century. As you can see, Stubbs masterfully captures the scene of a hunt, a popular subject reflecting the aristocratic pastimes of the time. The painting presents us with a complex interplay of power and class. The gamekeeper, though employed by the Earl, is caught in a moment of control but also subservience. It's a glimpse into the hierarchical structure of British society, where one's identity was so closely tied to their role. The dying doe, caught between the hound and the gamekeeper, becomes a poignant symbol of vulnerability. The emotional depth of the piece invites us to reflect on the cost of such traditions, and perhaps even to question them. Stubbs asks us to confront the difficult relationships that shape the British landscape, both natural and social.