(Champigneulles 1661–1743 Paris)
A hunting page with game and hunting dogs in a vast landscape, observed by two nymphs,
oil on canvas, 180 x 165 cm, framed

This work, remarkable for its composition, format and execution, was for a long time in Belgian private ownership. The artist combines compositional elements of various Netherlandish hunting still lifes. The swan is similar to works by Pieter Boel, whilst the hound guarding it is reminiscent of David de Coninck. The whole composition follows a popular formula created by Desportes and, just like the attitude of the greyhound in the upper left corner, also recurs in his self-portrait as a huntsman in the Louvre, Paris. The landscape and foliage are also very similar in both pictures. Desportes refined his Dutch models creating elaborate still lifes for the decoration of hunting salons at court. The inventory of his estate contains many drawings by the most important Netherlandish painters of hunting still lifes, including entire sketch books of von Jan Fijt. Desportes, to whom the present painting can be reasonably attributed, began his career as a court painter of the Polish King Jan III Sobieski in Warsaw. In 1699 he became a member of the Paris Academy. For the French court he created many large-size wall decorations for the castles of Versailles, Marly, Meudon and Compiègne.