Catalogue entry

• Figure composition: 
  • horse »
  • male »
• Landscape: 
  • animal »

The theme of The Accursed Huntsman has remained unfinished. Not one of the artist’s known writings allows us to know his intentions about this subject. The only indication is given to us by René Massé’s journal of 17 April 1921: "In the evening, rue Malte-Brun, Mr and Mrs Urban, Anton Zelling,/ Philippe Smit, Mr and Mrs Heckeldorff. At the Piano Anton Zelling, sings from Rollinat ꞌThe Ravenꞌ¹, ꞌLe Bûcheronꞌ², ꞌLa Mort des Fougèresꞌ Debussy, – from César Franck ꞌThe Accursed Huntsmanꞌ³."⁴ Philippe Smit was obviously familiar with the subject which certainly gave him the inspiration for his project of which only this study and some sketches⁵ are left.

1. The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe, translated by Maurice Rollinat.
2. Le Bûcheron by Pierre Dupont, set to music by Rollinat.
3. Le Chasseur maudit (The Accursed Huntsman).
4. "En soirée, rue Malte-Brun, Mr et Mme Urban, Anton Zelling,/ Philippe Smit, Mr et Mme Heckeldorff./ Au piano, Anton Zelling de Maurice Rollinat chante ꞌles/ corbeauxꞌ ꞌle bucheronꞌ/ ꞌla mort des fougèresꞌ/ Debussy – de César Franck ꞌle Chevalier Mauditꞌ." (Massé 1920-1935, p. 5).
5. Sketchbook n° 5 (private archives, Paris).