Mannen en honden jagen op een hert in een rivier 1595

This engraving, *Mannen en honden jagen op een hert in een rivier*, was created by Antonio Tempesta in the late 16th or early 17th century. The image illustrates a stag hunt, a popular subject in European art, often laden with aristocratic associations. It’s worth considering how hunting, as depicted here, was a highly gendered activity and how the presence of men with weapons, horses, and dogs signifies a display of power, status, and control over the natural world. The emotional intensity of the chase, with the frenzied dogs and desperate deer, offers a lens through which to explore the relationship between humans and animals. Tempesta's work can be examined in the context of broader narratives about class, privilege, and the natural environment. The print invites us to consider the social rituals and power dynamics embedded in these scenes, while prompting reflection on humanity's complex relationship with the animal kingdom.