Dead deer, hares and game 1647

Wenceslaus Hollar created this print, "Dead deer, hares and game," using etching techniques. The composition is dominated by a collection of lifeless animals arranged in a seemingly haphazard manner. The deer, the largest figure, lies with its legs splayed, creating a stark, angular form. The arrangement presents us with a study in contrasts—the soft fur of the hares against the stiff feathers of the game birds, all rendered in precise detail. The varying textures are achieved through the use of fine, closely-spaced lines for darker areas and more open, sparse lines for lighter tones. This work destabilizes the traditional still life, moving beyond mere representation to question the relationship between life and death. Hollar's strategic use of line work draws attention to the materiality of the scene. It forces us to confront uncomfortable truths about human intervention in nature, and the semiotic weight of each element within the composition.