The artwork titled “Going Out Hawking,” created by David Cox in 1838, exemplifies the artistic style of the Romanticism movement and falls under the genre of genre painting.
In the artwork, a stately, stone castle looms on the left, its architecture detailed with high windows and crenellations characteristic of medieval structures. Below, a group of elegantly dressed figures, potentially aristocrats, gather and descend a set of stone steps, preparing for hawking—a traditional hunt involving trained birds of prey. Some figures attend to dogs, and children can be seen among the adults, highlighting the communal aspect of their outing. To the right, the lush landscape stretches into the distance, with greens of various hues painted meticulously to capture the depth and richness of the natural environment. The sky overhead is brilliant with soft clouds, reflecting the tranquil yet lively atmosphere of the scene. The sunlight casts gentle shadows, enhancing the realism while preserving the romanticized tone of the artwork.
