Kop van een hert 1708 - 1767

Johann Elias Ridinger captured this study of a deer head in sanguine. The stag, or deer, is laden with meaning across cultures. Its antlers, shedding and regrowing each year, symbolize renewal and life's cyclical nature. Think of the Celtic Cernunnos, the horned god of fertility and nature, or the stag's association with Artemis, the Greek goddess of the hunt. The deer embodies both power and gentleness, a paradox that resonates deeply within our collective psyche. In medieval tapestries, the deer hunt was a metaphor for spiritual quest, mirroring the pursuit of enlightenment. Even today, the image of the stag evokes a sense of wilderness, a connection to primal instincts. This seemingly simple drawing taps into a rich, non-linear history, reminding us how ancient symbols continue to shape our perception and stir our emotions.