Schweißhunde mit erlegtem Hirsch 1902

Carl Reichert’s ‘Schweißhunde mit erlegtem Hirsch’ (Bloodhounds with Killed Deer) is a painting of dogs surrounding a deer, probably made with oils. I can almost feel what it was like for Reichert to create this scene. Look at the texture of the snow under the dogs’ paws. I imagine he was deeply immersed in the wintry landscape. I can imagine the crisp air and the weight of the snow. But he was also deeply immersed in the scene he created. There's such a contrast in the depiction of these creatures. The artist lavishes attention on rendering the furry coats and alert expressions of the dogs, so proud of their prey. The still deer is another story. This contrast is what makes the work so affecting! Artists are always responding to each other, it is an ongoing conversation across time, inspiring each other’s creativity. Reichert’s conversation with his audience embraces ambiguity and uncertainty. There are multiple interpretations of what is happening here, and it would be a mistake to try and fix them.