Hjorte i en skov 1807

Elias Meyer painted this image of deer in a forest with oil on canvas; its date is unknown. Meyer painted in Denmark, a country where hunting has long been associated with social status. Hunting rights were often restricted to landowners. The image of deer in a forest then may refer to divisions within society. The deer are placed centrally, at eye level, as if they are being presented to the viewer. Is the artist using these animals to comment on Danish society? Is he suggesting that some members of society are as well looked after as these deer appear to be? Or is he suggesting the opposite? We can only speculate about the artist's intention, but we can say that by looking at the social conditions that shaped the artwork's production, we can gain a deeper understanding of its meaning. The museums and galleries that display art and the archives where information is stored are all valuable resources.