Schetsen van herten en honden 1840 - 1880

These sketches of deer and hounds were made by Johannes Tavenraat in the 19th century. We see the animals in active poses. The deer, symbols of grace and the hunt, are juxtaposed with the hounds, their pursuers. The dance between predator and prey has been depicted for millennia, resonating with fundamental aspects of human existence. In ancient myths, the deer could represent innocence or even divine messengers. The hounds, traditionally associated with loyalty, here embody the chase, the instinct to capture. Consider the ancient Greek myth of Actaeon, transformed into a stag and hunted down by his own hounds. The deer, vulnerable, and the hounds, relentless, create a powerful image of transformation and fate. This timeless symbolism engages viewers on a primal level, tapping into our understanding of life, death, and the perpetual cycle of nature.