Dead stag 1646

Wenceslaus Hollar's 1646 etching "Dead Stag" depicts a lifeless deer lying beneath a tree, its antlers pointing skyward. The detailed rendering of the animal's anatomy and the textured depiction of the surrounding foliage showcase Hollar's mastery of etching. The image offers a glimpse into the natural world and the artistic traditions of the 17th century. This work of art, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, provides a powerful and evocative representation of mortality.