Louis XVI’s Last Hunt, At Fontainebleau 1827

Horace Vernet painted “Louis XVI’s Last Hunt, At Fontainebleau” using oil on canvas, in a style that is rooted in academic tradition. The artist's technique is meticulous, employing smooth brushwork to achieve a polished surface. Notice the detail in the rendering of fabrics and faces, reflecting a high degree of technical skill. The making of this painting occurred within a system of patronage and artistic training that was part and parcel of France’s socio-political structure. The narrative speaks to the rituals of the French aristocracy, and the canvas itself is testimony to a way of life that was soon to vanish. As you consider the image, contemplate the tremendous amount of labor implied in its production: from the harvesting and processing of raw materials for paint and canvas, to the skilled hand that brought it all into being. Appreciating these aspects helps us to understand its full significance, and to challenge the traditional distinction between art and craft.