Portrait of hunter tied to tree by Francis Sartorius

Francis Sartorius's 1760 painting, "Portrait of hunter tied to tree," housed at the National Library of Wales, presents an intriguing mystery: despite its very specific title, no hunter is actually depicted in the scene.

Instead, the painting focuses on two magnificent horses in a tranquil, pastoral setting. A brown horse, fully saddled and bridled, stands prominently in the foreground, suggesting readiness for an outing. In the background, a lighter-colored horse peeks over a wooden fence, its gaze seemingly directed at the viewer.

Sartorius, an English painter from a celebrated family of artists, was known for his depictions of horses, horse-racing, and hunting. This work, however, appears to subvert expectations, leaving viewers to ponder the origins of its curious title. Was the hunter merely implied, or has the painting's history obscured a missing figure?

This discrepancy makes the work a fascinating study in art historical interpretation. What do you think happened to the hunter?