Varkensjacht 1601 - 1650

Philips Serwouters created this engraving titled "Varkensjacht," or "The Pig Hunt," sometime between the late 16th and mid-17th century. During this period in the Netherlands, hunting wasn't just a sport; it was a complex social ritual deeply intertwined with class and power. Here, we see a nobleman on horseback, spear in hand, leading the charge, while commoners on foot assist in the hunt. This wasn't just about acquiring food; it was a display of dominance and privilege, access to resources, and the right to exert control over nature and, by extension, society. Look at the energy in this image. The dogs, the wild boar, the hunters—all caught in a moment of intense action. What does this tell us about our relationship to the natural world and the ways in which we exert our will upon it? The hunt, in this context, becomes a metaphor for the broader social dynamics at play.