Plate 14: A Civet, a Lynx, and a Hyena Eating a Dog c. 1575 - 1580

Joris Hoefnagel created Plate 14: A Civet, a Lynx, and a Hyena Eating a Dog, at the turn of the 17th century, using watercolor and gouache. His depictions of animals, part of a larger natural history project, were produced during a period of increased global exploration and scientific inquiry, but also reflect the complex power dynamics of the time. The representation of animals, like the civet, lynx and hyena here, moves beyond mere documentation. These images engage with prevailing notions of the exotic and the wild, concepts deeply entwined with colonial expansion and the subjugation of indigenous peoples. The hyena's consumption of a dog introduces a stark commentary on the social order. Dogs often symbolize loyalty and domesticity, while the scavenging hyena suggests a world turned upside down. Hoefnagel, through his detailed illustrations, invites us to consider the natural world. How do we assign value and meaning within it, and how these assignments reflect our own social and moral landscapes? The emotional weight of this piece lies in its stark portrayal of survival, prompting us to reflect on the uneasy relationship between the observer and the observed, the civilized and the wild.