The Cry of the Stag 1750 - 1770

Suzuki Harunobu crafted this woodblock print, titled 'The Cry of the Stag,' around 1768. The stag, rendered with delicate, pale hues, stands as a poignant symbol deeply embedded in cultural memory. Its yearning cry, head lifted towards the heavens, evokes a sense of melancholy and longing. This echoes across time, reminiscent of ancient myths where animals bridge the earthly and divine realms. Consider the medieval bestiaries, where the stag often represents Christ, its antlers a symbol of the cross, or the stag hunt as a metaphor for spiritual pursuit. Here, the stag's cry becomes a powerful expression of human emotion projected onto the natural world. This motif transcends cultural boundaries, echoing in the works of artists through centuries, as it encapsulates an emotional state, engaging viewers on a subconscious level.