Jacht op wilde katten 1582 - 1633

"Jacht op wilde katten," or "Hunting Wild Cats," was created by Philips Galle, sometime between 1537 and 1612. The engraving depicts a hunting scene in which men on horseback and foot pursue wild cats in a densely wooded landscape. Galle was a prominent printmaker and publisher in Antwerp during a period of religious and political upheaval. His works often reflected the social values of the time, including the aristocracy’s dominance and their leisure activities. This piece presents a narrative of humans asserting control over the natural world. Consider the power dynamics at play – the hunters, armed and on horseback, stand in stark contrast to the vulnerable, hunted animals. The image subtly reinforces a hierarchy, reflective of the social stratifications present within 16th century European society. As you observe the hunt, consider the ethics of such displays of dominance and how they resonate with contemporary conversations about our relationship with the environment and other species.