Give ye Britons then (1794)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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More about this artwork
Samuel Howitt's 1794 work, "Give ye Britons then," is a captivating painting that masterfully captures a vibrant fox-hunting scene, a popular recreational activity among the British gentry during this period. The image is composed of central figures on horseback—three men and one woman—dressed in traditional riding attire, which includes breeches, boots, and jackets. They are depicted with a backdrop of a natural, wooded landscape, seemingly in the throes of the chase, their attention directed towards the action unfolding in the forest.In the foreground, one of the riders gestures animatedly, pointing towards the pack of dogs and the distant figure of another horseman amid the trees. This gesture and his focused gaze draw the viewer’s eye towards the heart of the hunt. The powerful depiction of the horses, each in varying poses of movement, adds a dynamic element to the composition.This artwork not only illustrates the thrill and sport of fox hunting but also serves as a social document reflecting the leisure activities and class structure of late 18th-century Britain.