Watch 1785 - 1799

Jean-Pierre Huaud, known as the younger, crafted this enameled watch in the late 17th or early 18th century. The pastoral scene at its center invites us to consider the complex relationship between time and nature. Observe how the hunter with his dog evokes a sense of leisurely pursuit, a motif that stretches back to classical Arcadia. This serene image stands in stark contrast to the relentless march of time, marked by the Roman numerals that encircle it. The hunter, a symbol of human dominion over nature, reminds us of Actaeon from Ovid's *Metamorphoses*. The tale's tragic consequences serve as a warning about the perils of hubris and the power of the natural world to reclaim its space. The image thus taps into an anxiety about the limits of human control. This watch is more than a tool for measuring time; it's a reminder of our place within the grand, cyclical narrative of history and myth.