Snipe Shooting (1796)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
"Snipe Shooting," an evocative painting by Samuel Howitt from 1796, vividly captures a moment of rural sport in the wilds of the English countryside. Depicting a hunter in traditional attire of the era, poised with his rifle, the painting provides a window into the world of 18th-century game shooting. The hunter, attired in a long coat and a tricorne hat, directs his focused gaze towards the sky, aligned with his firearm as he targets the snipe in flight.The scene is brought to life by the dynamic presence of two eager dogs in the foreground, their bodies tense and animated as they participate in the chase. Howitt masterfully renders the landscape with a lush, wooded area that recedes to a serene body of water and rolling hills, imparting a sense of depth and tranquility.Dominating the right side of the canvas is a rugged, gnarled tree, which not only serves as a potent symbol of the untamed beauty of nature but also frames the hunter, highlighting his solitary figure against the expansive backdrop. The soft, muted colors of the sky suggest the quiet cool of an early morning or late afternoon, an ideal time for such pursuits.