Landscape with stag 1873

Gustave Courbet painted this landscape with stag using oil on canvas. The stag, a symbol deeply rooted in the human psyche, dominates the scene. It is a motif associated with virility, the hunt, and the untamed wilderness. Throughout history, the stag has appeared in various guises, from the mythical Cernunnos of Celtic lore, to the Christian symbol of spiritual devotion. One recalls the legend of Saint Hubert, whose conversion was triggered by a vision of a stag bearing a crucifix between its antlers, a narrative laden with themes of revelation and transformation. Here, the stag is presented in its natural habitat, evoking a sense of primal connection to the earth. Courbet presents us with a timeless symbol that continues to resonate, its meaning evolving with each new interpretation. It stirs in us the collective memory of our ancestors.