Terugkeer van jachtgezelschap 1757 - 1814

Michel Picquenot created this print titled 'Terugkeer van jachtgezelschap' or Return from the Hunting Party around the late 18th to early 19th century. The scene's formal organization, with distinct zones of activity, brings forth a structured view of societal life. In this print, Picquenot uses linear perspective to guide our eyes from the foreground's detailed depiction of the returning hunters to the distant landscape. This technique not only creates depth but also mirrors the social hierarchy, positioning the elite hunters in proximity to the viewer, while commoners are relegated to the background. The formal garden with its structured fountains and classical statue acts as a backdrop, reinforcing themes of order and control over nature and society. The print, with its sharp lines and careful arrangement of space, captures a vision of society meticulously organized, where each element – from the architecture to the landscape and figures – plays a specific role in a predetermined order.