Konijnenjacht 1578

Philips Galle created this print, Konijnenjacht, which translates to Rabbit Hunt, sometime in the late 16th century. Galle was Flemish, and lived during a time of religious and political upheaval. The details of this hunting scene offer insights into the social hierarchy of the time. Hunting was often a privilege of the elite, yet here we see a range of participants. The act of hunting, and particularly the use of fire and dogs, would have been a communal activity, deeply woven into the social and economic fabric of rural life. The emotionality of the scene is complex; the viewer can recognize the thrill of the hunt alongside the violence it enacts. Galle does not shy away from depicting the harsh realities of a hunt. The success of the hunt ensures survival, while it also entrenches an understanding of power and vulnerability.