Commissioned by Napoleon himself, this painting captures a moment of the hunt in the Compiègne forest, despite the Emperor’s well-known disinterest in the activity. The scene centres on Napoleon’s decisive shot at a deer, framed by a foreground of elegant horses and a pack of dogs closing in on the quarry, while in the distance a procession of courtiers follows, with Empress Marie-Louise prominently visible in an open carriage. The composition is arranged much like a theatrical set, with trees positioned like stage wings and a careful treatment of foliage and spatial depth that demonstrate Vernet's commitment to classical style.