Hazenjacht 1819 - 1881

This is 'Hazenjacht,' an etching by Johannes Tavenraat. The print is dominated by a stark contrast between light and shadow. The upper portion is consumed by a dark, textured sky, pressing down on the frantic scene below. Our eyes are drawn to the lower register, where hares flee from pursuing dogs. Tavenraat masterfully uses the etching technique to create a sense of urgency. The lines are sharp and dynamic, conveying the speed of the chase, and the landscape is only barely suggested to give it a greater sense of speed. The composition is divided horizontally. The dark sky is a heavy, looming presence, while the lower half is filled with the frenetic energy of the hunt. This division emphasizes the vulnerability of the hares and the impending threat. The absence of color focuses our attention on the play of light and shadow, enhancing the dramatic tension. The artist uses these contrasts to underscore the precarious balance between predator and prey.