Stag in Winter c. 19th century

Curator: William Morris's "Stag in Winter," held here at the Harvard Art Museums, presents us with a stark monochrome scene. Editor: It feels incredibly lonely, doesn’t it? That single stag, stark against the snow, it embodies isolation. Curator: Stags, traditionally symbols of virility and power, are here humbled by winter's grip. We should consider Morris's own socialist leanings here. Editor: Absolutely, the stag also carries a strong association with the hunt, a symbol of aristocratic privilege. It is fascinating how Morris inverts that. Curator: Indeed, the animal's nobility is undermined by its exposure and vulnerability in this bleak landscape. The composition is a commentary on class struggle. Editor: I agree, its antlers are almost like a crown, but a crown weighed down by the burdens of its symbolic past. The use of light is striking too. Curator: Morris’s technique and the stark imagery effectively transform a simple scene into a poignant statement. Editor: It definitely encourages a deeper reflection on power and representation. I hadn’t considered that before.