The Wager Won 1778

Jean Michel Moreau the Younger created “The Wager Won,” using pen and brown ink with brown wash, during a time of immense social change. The French Revolution was brewing, and with it a shift in power and social norms. Here, we see an aristocratic scene, with a hunter displaying his prize to two women watching from a balcony. But what does it mean to win a wager? What are the stakes, who benefits, and who loses? It is interesting to consider the power dynamics at play. The women, seemingly confined to their balcony, are spectators in a world where men actively pursue their desires, perhaps a reflection on gender roles. The dogs add another layer to the story, their eagerness mirroring the anticipation of reward. The man’s triumph feels hollow when we think about the social inequalities of the late 18th century. The drawing leaves us to ponder the cost of such ‘winnings’ on a society teetering on the edge of revolution.