Bergachtig landschap met herten 1722 - 1784

Simon Fokke made this print of a mountainous landscape with deer sometime in the 18th century. Hunting scenes like this were popular among wealthy Europeans, as they evoked ideals of country life and the leisure activities of the aristocracy. The image presents a scene of men hunting deer in a densely wooded, hilly area. The visual codes here tell us much about the social structures of the time. In the Netherlands during the 1700s, hunting was a privilege often associated with land ownership and social status. Fokke’s composition, with its somewhat romanticized view of nature, connects to a broader European fascination with the pastoral and the picturesque. We can see evidence of this in the landscaping of estates. To fully understand this print, we might consider the social function of art in the Dutch Republic and how prints served to disseminate certain values and ideas. Research into period literature, hunting practices, and landscape design could provide additional insights. By examining art within its historical context, we can appreciate its role in reflecting and shaping the cultural norms of its time.