Hert 1840 - 1880

This drawing of a stag was made by Johannes Tavenraat. The stag, a symbol laden with meaning, stands prominently. From ancient Greek mythology, where it was associated with Artemis, to its role as a Celtic deity of the forest, the stag embodies virility, instinct, and regeneration. Think of the ‘Master of Animals’ motif, echoing through millennia, where a central figure, often flanked by animals, signifies dominion over nature. Here, the stag appears alone, yet his posture and gaze suggest an awareness beyond the immediate. In medieval Christian iconography, the stag was often depicted drinking from the fountain of life, symbolizing the soul's thirst for God. But, contrast this sacred symbolism with its later associations with the hunt and nobility, as seen in countless heraldic emblems. This drawing engages with a deep-seated, subconscious recognition of the stag’s multifaceted symbolism. The stag’s representation, with its simple ink lines, carries a weight of cultural memory, evoking a powerful sense of primal connection.