[Dead Roe Buck] 1856 - 1859

“[Dead Roe Buck]” is a striking 19th-century salt print photograph by British artist Horatio Ross. Created between 1856 and 1859, the image captures a dead roe deer lying on its side in a field of tall grass. The starkness of the composition emphasizes the animal’s vulnerability and mortality, reflecting a growing interest in the representation of nature and its fragility. The photograph's muted tones and detailed depiction of the animal’s form contribute to the overall sense of realism and pathos, inviting viewers to contemplate the cycle of life and death in the natural world. The photograph is currently part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection in New York, NY.