Hunters n.d.

Horace Vernet created this print, Hunters, using etching. It depicts a hunting party, and at first glance, appears to be a simple country scene. Look closer. The dogs accompanying the hunters are more than just companions; they are ancient symbols of fidelity, instinct, and the hunt itself. Dogs have appeared in art since the Paleolithic era, as guardians and hunters. In ancient Greece, dogs were associated with Artemis, the goddess of the hunt, and with Hecate, goddess of witchcraft and crossroads. Through the Middle Ages, dogs evolved into symbols of loyalty, often depicted in tombs as guardians of the deceased. Here, these hunting dogs not only aid the hunters in their quest, but also evoke deep-seated instincts and primal connections to the natural world. Consider the dog’s unwavering loyalty and heightened senses, reflecting our own subconscious desires for connection and protection. The hunt is a recurring motif in the human psyche, representing the pursuit of goals and the confrontation with our own nature.