Falconry

Description of the artwork

Although falconry, also known as the ‘sport of princes’, is now listed as intangible cultural heritage by UNESCO, it is above all a traditional art that has fascinated many Western artists during their stays in the East. Like his master Eugène Fromentin, Victor Huguet also depicted this subject, which allowed him to express his talent in the representation of local customs and horses as well as in the art of landscape painting. The work we present here seeks to show these three aspects in a masterful and authentic Orientalist painting. The sky, in which the falcon reigns supreme, takes on paramount importance in our painting, occupying two-thirds of the composition. The horses' coats, rendered with great attention to texture and shine, catch the light. Their heads are raised and all eyes are turned towards the falcon in flight. In the foreground, four birds of prey wait patiently to take flight on a small wooden perch. An important subject in the artist's oeuvre, Falconry is mentioned in 1875 at the exhibition of the Société des amis des arts in Marseille, as well as at the 1931 colonial exhibition in Paris, nearly 30 years after the painter's death. Our painting, which can be dated to around 1880, reveals the combined influence of Eugène Fromentin and a freer, almost impressionistic touch. The harmonies of ochres, reds and blues so characteristic of Huguet are evident in this painting, which is representative of his talent.

Origin

Private Collection, France