Stag 1625 - 1677

Wenceslaus Hollar etched this Stag, now at the Metropolitan Museum, with remarkable detail. The Stag's antlers, symbols of virility and strength, immediately capture our attention. The motif of the Stag, deeply rooted in human consciousness, transcends mere representation. In ancient Greek mythology, the stag was associated with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, embodying wilderness and the untamed. Similarly, in Celtic traditions, the stag was a guide to the Otherworld, a symbol of spiritual quest and regeneration. Consider the persistence of this motif, not only in classical art, but also in medieval tapestries, where the stag often appears in allegorical hunts. Its evolution across cultures and centuries reveals a psychological resonance, a primal connection to nature and the subconscious. The image evokes a sense of awe, reminding us of the profound, often inexplicable ways in which symbols persist and evolve, engaging us on a deeply emotional level.