What is Called Vagrancy or, The Hunters of Vincennes 1854

Alfred Stevens painted "What is Called Vagrancy or, The Hunters of Vincennes" in France, although the exact date remains unknown. This large canvas depicts a scene of social alienation set in a bleak, wintry landscape. At its center, we see a woman with a babe in arms, flanked by armed guards. Her destitution is thrown into sharp relief against the forces of law and order. The painting’s alternate title, "The Hunters of Vincennes," evokes the brutal rounding up of vagrants and the poor in nineteenth-century France. It reminds us of the punitive policies enforced by the state, particularly during periods of social unrest and economic hardship. The title is ironic since it suggests an actual hunt, with the vagrants portrayed as animals being captured. To truly understand this artwork, it's essential to delve into the historical context of 19th-century French social policies. Archival documents, police records, and journalistic accounts can shed light on the prevailing attitudes towards poverty and vagrancy, revealing the complex interplay between art, social commentary, and institutional power.