The artwork, titled “The Hunters Leave Southill,” was created by George Stubbs between 1763 and 1768 using oil on canvas. This piece, which belongs to the Romanticism art movement, measures 61 by 105 centimeters and falls under the genre of genre painting. It is currently held in a private collection.
The artwork depicts a serene scene of a countryside retreat, characterized by a group of hunters preparing to depart from Southill. Several figures are portrayed mounted on horses, with their attire and poses suggesting the readiness for a hunt. The background is filled with architectural structures and lush foliage, evoking a sense of tranquility and the charm of rural life. The presence of hounds, a hallmark of hunting expeditions, adds to the authenticity and dynamism of the scene. The balanced composition and meticulous attention to detail reflect Stubbs’ mastery in capturing both human and animal forms, thus highlighting his celebrated status in the domain of genre painting.
