Trofee met hert en vogels Possibly 1757

This print of a trophy with deer and birds was made by Paul Angier in the late 18th century, using etching and engraving. The stark monochromatic lines give shape to the bodies of hunted animals, hanging lifelessly. Note the contrast between the soft, feathery textures of the birds and the smooth, almost porcelain-like quality of the deer. This wasn't a still life painted from observation, but an artful arrangement of death. It’s the kind of image that might have been used by cabinetmakers, silversmiths, or other craftsmen who sought to adorn their wares with up-to-date imagery. Prints like this served as a kind of proto-Pinterest board, allowing artisans to absorb the latest styles, and perhaps adapt them to their own materials. This print shows how art and craft were deeply entwined, informing one another in ways that challenge our assumptions about high and low culture. Ultimately, it serves as a reminder that the most beautiful objects often have complex and sometimes unsettling origins.