Wolf hunt 1550 - 1600

Etienne Delaune’s “Wolf Hunt,” made sometime in the 16th century, captures the brutal reality of human interaction with the natural world during the Renaissance. Delaune, who served the French court, presents us with a scene of aristocratic privilege, a stark contrast to the lives of the peasantry who would have lived in fear of wolves. The hunt was a favorite pastime of the aristocracy, who often regarded nature as something to be dominated, as a resource for them alone. This speaks volumes about the social hierarchies of the time. It underlines the power dynamics between the elite and the environment. The image can be interpreted as a commentary on the social and economic disparities of the time, or as a straightforward depiction of a popular pastime. What do you think?