Een adelaar staat op een haas 1667 - 1742

Jan Griffier’s etching ‘An Eagle Stands on a Hare’ compels us to consider the stark realities of nature. Made with delicate lines and a careful arrangement of tones, the composition centres on the dramatic encounter between predator and prey. Look at how Griffier uses the contrast between the smooth, rounded form of the hare and the sharp, angular lines of the eagle’s feathers to heighten the sense of conflict. The eagle’s wings, outspread, dominate the scene, creating a sense of enclosure and inescapable fate for the hare beneath. We might consider the symbolic implications of this visual structure; the eagle, often associated with power and freedom, is here depicted in a moment of asserting dominance. The landscape in the background, rendered with soft, muted tones, provides a stark contrast to the violent foreground. Is Griffier inviting us to reflect on the indifference of nature, where beauty and brutality coexist? Perhaps this work reflects the hierarchical structures of the 17th century, where power dynamics were often depicted through animal allegories. What do you make of this power dynamic?