16 - Henri-Auguste de MONTPEZAT (Paris, 1817–1859) The Throw Oil on canvas Signed lower left “Montpezat” 70 x 95 cm. Provenance: France, private collection

Henri-Auguste de MONTPEZAT (Paris, 1817–1859) The Throw Oil on canvas Signed lower left “Montpezat” 70 x 95 cm. Provenance: France, private collection An animal painter whose reputation rests on his equestrian portraits of the French aristocracy, Henri-Auguste Comte de Montpezat excelled at hunting scenes. The Louvre Museum holds, in particular, a series of six overdoor paintings dedicated to this theme, commissioned from the artist for the apartment of Napoleon III’s First Equerry (inv. 20988–20993). This work is fully in keeping with this tradition and attests to Montpezat’s keen eye, as well as his talent for capturing the animals’ poses on canvas. Brimming with vibrant colors, this hunting scene conveys all the liveliness of the favorite pastime of the elite. Far from the static quality typical of representational paintings, the chase unfolds here in a strongly foreshortened perspective: dogs and riders emerge from the background and advance toward the viewer, drawing them into the very heart of their frenzied pursuit. The attention paid to natural phenomena is evident in the treatment of the landscape, dominated by a vast sky with imposing clouds, complemented by a deliberately lowered horizon. The low-angled light of early morning, hidden on the left, glints off the dogs’ coats and that of the white horse in the foreground. The subtle chiaroscuro effects that shape its body, right down to the bluish hues of the shadows, emphasize the animal’s nobility, echoing the elegance of its rider. The painting is in very good condition, allowing one to appreciate the freshness and richness of its pictorial quality. Light and swift, the brushstrokes accurately render the warm tones of the autumn foliage and contribute to the scene’s dynamism. Subject matter and painting technique thus come together in this work, which is remarkable for the freedom and quality of its execution.