The Death of the Fox (Primary Title)
John Nost Sartorius, English, 1759 - 1828 (Artist)
The practice of pursuing animal quarry on horseback and with scent hounds began in 16th-century England as a form of pest control. It evolved into a social form of recreation in the 18th century, as depicted in the paintings of Seymour and Stubbs. In the 19th century the practice became a popular aristocratic leisure activity, but it was also enjoyed by other social classes. The paintings in this gallery depict various aspects of the sport, whose popularity has been diminished by animal rights activism. Foxhunting is outlawed today in England. In the United States, the sport still continues, but the fox is not killed.
At lower left, "JN Sartorius" indistinctly.
Paul Mellon Collection
2018-2019: "A Sporting Vision: The Paul Mellon Collection of British Sporting Art from the VMFA", National Sporting Museum & Library, Middleburg, VA, April 13 - July 22, 2018; Frist Art Museum, Nashville, TN, February 2 - May 5, 2019; Frick Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, June 15 - September 8, 2019
Image released via Creative Commons CC-BY-NC
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