Omlijsting met jachtbuit 1778 - 1779

Editor: So, here we have "Omlijsting met jachtbuit" from 1778-1779, an engraving by Gottlieb Friedrich Riedel. It’s a still life, but feels more like a decorative element… what jumps out at you about this piece? Curator: Ah, yes. This image… it's not just about the game, is it? The hanging fowl, the boar… they are symbols, whispers from a world obsessed with hierarchy. See how they are framed? Like trophies, mounted in a grand hall. It evokes a peculiar kind of status. Don't you think there's almost a sadness to their stillness? It always leaves me wondering about the hunter's own triumphs and mortality. Editor: That's a really interesting way to look at it, especially the framing as a mark of status. I mostly saw the still life element. But if they were just for hunting, why include the floral details? It feels... discordant, maybe? Curator: Exactly! Discord! Like life bursting forth from the jaws of…well, not death, really. This isn’t overtly morose, is it? Think of it like a baroque riddle. The flowers soften the harsh reality, maybe celebrating nature's bounty as much as the hunt. They point towards renewal even amid mortality. Or perhaps, just pure decoration! Do you feel the weight of symbolism, or something more decorative at play? Editor: Hmm, the renewal idea resonates, it brings a fresher perspective! Thanks for highlighting that! Curator: And thank you! These old engravings, they keep us guessing. Keeps us hunting for meaning.