Plate 19: Four Types of Stags 1580

Joris Hoefnagel made this painting of stags using watercolor and gouache around the late 16th century. The image, with its Latin inscriptions, shows the cultural fascination with the natural world that was emerging in Europe at that time. But there’s more to it than that. Hoefnagel worked for the Habsburg court, a major center of power and patronage. So, his art reflects the interests of a specific elite class. The detailed rendering of the stags could represent the aristocratic pursuit of hunting. Likewise, the naturalistic style mirrors the growing scientific observation, sponsored by wealthy patrons. Moreover, the Latin inscriptions, evoke the classical learning valued by the educated elite. This wasn’t simply an innocent depiction of wildlife. As art historians, to fully appreciate this painting, we might dig into the history of the Habsburg court, the traditions of hunting, and the scientific and artistic trends of the 16th century. The painting, then, becomes a window into the complex social world of its time.