The Duck Hunt 1730 - 1733

Editor: Here we have Jean Moyreau’s "The Duck Hunt," an undated print. It gives off a somewhat documentary feel, with a focus on the activities of the hunt. How do you view the social context of this piece? Curator: Considering the probable audience and the depiction of labor alongside leisure, it offers insights into social stratification. Who do you imagine had access to this print, and what message might it convey about their position in society? Editor: Presumably the upper class? Perhaps it normalizes their lifestyle? I hadn't considered it in those terms. Curator: Exactly. It's a window into the world of the elite and how they perceived, and wanted to be perceived. Editor: Interesting, I'll definitely be more aware of the social implications in art now.