Deer Hunt 16th-17th century

Curator: This dynamic engraving, "Deer Hunt," is by Adriaen Collaert, who lived from 1560 to 1618. It’s part of the Harvard Art Museums collection, and the plate measures about 8 by 12 inches. Editor: My first thought? It feels like controlled chaos—a flurry of legs and antlers, all meticulously etched. A lot of very anxious energy emanating from this small plate. Curator: Absolutely. Collaert captures the drama of the hunt. Notice how the dogs converge on the deer, a symbol of vulnerability and pursuit? Editor: Yes, and the hunters on horseback seem almost indifferent to the carnage, their faces impassive. It's like they're participating in a ritual rather than a chase. I also wonder about the Latin verses... Curator: The verses below amplify the feeling of the scene. The deer exhausts easily with the javelin. With the canines the hunter follows the anxious. A lot of visual and psychological tension. Editor: It’s strangely compelling. So much detail packed into such a small space—it really pulls you in. Curator: It does make you think about the cycle of life and death, doesn't it? A rather intense scene captured with such exquisite skill.