Alfred De Dreux's Entourage – Horse Hunting Gathering – 19th Century

Oil on canvas depicting a hunting gathering, in the style of mid-19th-century French equestrian painting and the work of Alfred de Dreux (1810–1860).

The composition features, in the foreground, three dark-coated riding horses, richly harnessed, standing still on a country road. Beside them, a white dog, standing against a small bench, seems to be seeking contact with the horses. In the background, a few figures and another horse appear along the path, while a vast mountainous landscape unfolds beneath a broadly rendered sky.

The painter pays particular attention to the horses, their postures, and their tack. The saddles and blankets in shades of brown and red enliven the animals’ dark coats and give structure to the composition.

This scene is fully in keeping with the taste for equestrian and hunting painting, which experienced significant growth in France during the 19th century, particularly in the work of Alfred de Dreux.

An old handwritten inscription on the back of the stretcher reads:

“Hunting rendezvous (Alfred de Dreux)”

This notation attests to a previous attribution to Alfred de Dreux, though—in the absence of a signature or additional documentary evidence—it does not currently allow for a direct attribution to the artist. We therefore cautiously present this painting as a work by the circle of Alfred de Dreux.

Oil on canvas, preserved on its original stretcher.

The canvas shows age-related cracking and several small, old restorations, visible on the reverse side as patches of canvas. Nevertheless, the work remains perfectly legible and retains a beautiful decorative presence.

19th century.
Shipping: 30 euros within France, 80 euros within the EU, and 150 euros to the rest of the world.