Cycle of The Legend of St Hubert

The artist’s first major break came in 1895 when the French writer and Catholic right-wing politician, Baron Denys Cochin (1851-1922), commissioned Denis to paint a mural for his office based on the theme of the legend of St Hubert. Hubertus or Hubert (c. 656-727) was a Christian saint who became the first bishop of Li�ge in 708 A.D. Legend holds that on a Good Friday morning, while the faithful were in church, Hubert was hunting in the forest. As he pursued a magnificent stag or hart, the animal turned and Hubert was astounded to see a crucifix floating between its antlers. He heard a voice saying: “Hubert, unless thou turnest to the Lord and leadest a holy life, thou shalt quickly go down into Hell.” Hubert dismounted and prostrated himself, and after asking “Lord, what wouldst Thou have me do?” is told, “Go and seek Lambert, and he will instruct you.” Hubert is the patron saint of hunters, mathematicians, opticians, and metalworkers.

Confronted for the first time with a huge format, Denis began a symbolic hunt for imagery that described the struggle between a good spiritual world of light versus an evil material world of darkness. His final mural consists of seven panels with unique compositions that share imagery, colour harmony and decorative motifs. From left to right the panels are (1) Departure, (2) The Release of the Dogs, (3) The Good Go, (4) The Miracle, (5) The Default, (6) The Hellish Hunt, (7) Arrival at the Hermitage.

Four themes interweave the panels: the action and intent of the hunt; the evidence of the sacred and conversion of St Hubert; the misfortune of hunters driven by their passions; and finally, the human family united in peace and prayer. The artist created the frantic race that leads to the crucial moment when the stag is about to be slaughtered. The light of the fire heightens the cruelty and horror of what is at play, as finally, the cross of Christ appears between the antlers of the stag. The last panel ends with a peaceful image of the entire Cochin family in prayer.