The Deer Hunt of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and Ubaldino Ubaldini 1589

Editor: This is "The Deer Hunt of Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa and Ubaldino Ubaldini," a 1589 engraving by Jan van der Straet. It feels very staged to me, almost theatrical. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Absolutely. Consider this print not merely as a record of a historical hunt, but as a complex statement about power, legitimacy, and the performance of masculinity within a specific socio-political context. Stradanus is not only illustrating an event, but also participating in the construction of a visual narrative around leadership and authority. How do you see the relationship between the central figures and their retinues playing into this narrative? Editor: Well, Emperor Frederick is prominently displayed on horseback, literally elevated above everyone else. It emphasizes his status, almost like a divine right. Curator: Exactly. And what about the act of the hunt itself? Doesn’t it reflect aristocratic privilege? The hunt was, and continues to be, a symbolic space for negotiating dominance—not just over nature, but also over social rivals. In a way, it reflects back on ideas about labor and leisure. It’s also fascinating how the violence of the hunt is normalized and presented as a spectacle. Editor: I see your point. The violence almost becomes secondary to the display of power. But it’s so removed from how we think about accessing food or relating to the natural world now. Curator: Precisely! And this distance is exactly the point. Stradanus' print becomes a visual tool to solidify existing hierarchies and perpetuate particular ideas of the ideal leader. It highlights the theatrical aspect of rule and power. Do you think knowing this influences how you view the scene now? Editor: Absolutely. It shifts the focus from a simple depiction of a hunt to a carefully constructed piece of political messaging. Thanks for making me rethink my first impressions! Curator: My pleasure! Considering historical contexts allows us to appreciate the power dynamics that visual culture reflects and reinforces, and helps to contextualize it today.