Jachttrofee 1778

Etienne Claude Voysard made this print, titled ‘Jachttrofee,’ which translates as Hunting Trophy, using etching. In this work, Voysard’s display of hunting equipment, dead animals, and garlands of flowers can be understood within a culture of aristocratic leisure and privilege, common across Europe. The fox head sits in the basket as a symbol of man’s mastery over nature. The other instruments signify country pursuits that were beyond the reach of commoners. It's likely that the print was intended for display within an aristocratic household, perhaps in a dedicated hunting room, where such imagery would reinforce social status and signal a specific set of cultural values. In order to fully understand works like this, historians look at period literature, estate inventories, and other visual materials to better understand the place of hunting in the lives of Europe’s elite.