Venationes ferarum avium, piscium... 1530 - 1581

This engraving, "Venationes ferarum avium, piscium...", was created by Jan van der Straet, called Stradanus, sometime between 1543 and 1605. It plunges us into the spectacle of animal hunts, a popular form of entertainment during the Renaissance. Beyond mere entertainment, these displays were deeply intertwined with power dynamics. Consider the inscription: "Magnus Alexander populo spectacula praebet," referencing Alexander the Great presenting spectacles to the people. The implication being that the ruling class of the time, like Alexander, could command nature and entertain the masses. Look at the dead elephant in the foreground and the menacing lion. These animals become symbols of conquered lands, their display reinforcing the dominance of European power. What does it mean to see a dog attacking the lion? Think about the relationship between humans and animals, and how such spectacles reflect and shape our understanding of the world. The emotional tension between violence, spectacle, and control makes this piece deeply unsettling.