A dead stag (anonymous copy) 1647 - 1700

This anonymous copy of Wenceslaus Hollar’s print, "A Dead Stag," was made using the etching technique. This process involves coating a metal plate with wax, scratching an image into it, and then bathing the plate in acid, which bites away the exposed lines. The stark contrast between the lines and the blank paper influences the appearance of the image and is crucial to the visual impact of the print. The texture and tone of the scene are achieved through the density and direction of the etched lines, a testament to the artist's skill in manipulating the material. Consider the labor involved in creating such a detailed image, and the way that printmaking enabled the mass production and distribution of images like this one, playing a role in shaping cultural attitudes towards hunting and nature. The contrast between the fine art of printmaking and the brutal reality of the hunt invites us to consider the relationship between humans and the natural world.