Valkenjacht op fazanten 1671

"Valkenjacht op fazanten" (1671) by Richard Gaywood (1630-1680) is a detailed etching depicting the popular sport of falconry. The print, housed in the Rijksmuseum, captures a dramatic scene: a hawk, perched on a falconer's glove, is poised to strike a pheasant in flight. The falconer, surrounded by a group of hunting dogs and onlookers, holds a staff, awaiting the hawk's capture. The image, with its precise linework and depiction of the birds and animals, exemplifies the beauty and skill of the art of falconry. The inclusion of text with quotes about pheasant hunting further enhances this detailed representation.