A Dead Hare 1670

Jacob Biltius painted this still life of a dead hare suspended from its feet in the 17th century. The hare, a symbol of both fertility and fear, is displayed as a hunter's prize, yet its limp form evokes a sense of vulnerability, a theme echoed through centuries. Consider the ancient Roman depictions of Diana, goddess of the hunt, often accompanied by a hare, representing her dominion over nature. Yet, here, the hare is stripped of its vitality, a stark contrast to its symbolic associations with life and renewal. This inversion reflects a Baroque fascination with mortality, with memento mori that remind us of life’s brevity. The motif resurfaces in later works, like Courbet's game pieces, questioning our relationship with nature. The emotional resonance of the fallen animal is not lost; it evolves, prompting reflection on human dominance. This cyclical progression mirrors the hare’s own symbolic journey, continually reappearing, transformed yet hauntingly familiar.