Fox-hunting c. 18th century

Editor: This is "Fox-hunting" by Samuel Howitt. It's quite a dynamic scene, with the hunter on horseback and the pack of dogs in pursuit. What does this image tell us about its time? Curator: Well, the print speaks volumes about social hierarchies and leisure in late 18th-century England. Fox hunting wasn't just a sport; it was a performance of status, largely exclusive to the landed gentry. Editor: So, the image reinforces existing power structures? Curator: Precisely. Howitt’s artistry, through the circulation of prints, helped to popularize and even idealize this vision of aristocratic life. Think about whose stories get told, and by whom. Editor: I hadn't considered the role of prints in shaping public perception like that. Thanks! Curator: It's about unpacking the narratives and understanding who benefits from their perpetuation.