Jacht op een haas 1680 - 1694

Jan Griffier's etching captures a dramatic hare hunt, a scene brimming with symbolism far beyond a mere depiction of the chase. The hare, historically a symbol of vulnerability and the hunted, is here caught between the jaws of fate embodied by the dogs. We find echoes of this pursuit motif in ancient myths and Renaissance allegories, where the chase represents not just physical hunting, but also the relentless pursuit of desires or the soul's journey. Observe how the hare's desperate leap mirrors the emotional turmoil of those fleeing persecution, their terror etched in the animal's wide eyes. This image resonates with our primal fears and the subconscious understanding of the cycle of predator and prey, a theme that has haunted human imagination across centuries. It is a timeless scene, echoing through art history, constantly reborn with each new interpretation.