Meeting for the Puits-du-Roi Hunt in Compiegne 

Jean-Baptiste Oudry captured this meeting for the Puits-du-Roi Hunt in Compiegne with oils on canvas. Oudry's painting provides a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the eighteenth-century French aristocracy, a world where hunting was not merely a sport but a symbol of power and privilege. Note how the figures are meticulously arranged, each one showcasing the refined fashion and composed demeanor expected of their social standing. This wasn't just about the thrill of the chase, but the performance of one's status within a strict social hierarchy. The painting prompts us to consider the complex relationship between humanity and nature and the exercise of power. Do the elegantly dressed hunters remind us of the stark contrast between their lives of leisure and the labor of the common people?