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Editor: This is an engraving by Francis Barlow, showing a group of deer, and I find the stillness of the animals quite striking. How might we interpret the symbolism of these stags? Curator: Consider the stag's antlers. They represent power, virility, but also vulnerability, as they're shed and regrown annually. What other symbols do you observe in their positioning within the landscape? Editor: I see a contrast between the open sky and the dense forest, could this be about civilization versus nature? Curator: Perhaps. Notice how the deer are both part of and set apart from their environment. It may reflect the complex relationship between humanity and the natural world, loaded with centuries of cultural meaning. Editor: This really offers a fresh perspective on the piece. Thanks! Curator: Indeed. It demonstrates how the symbolism of animals has shaped our cultural memory.