Gemzenjacht 1582 - 1636

Philips Galle created this engraving, "Gemzenjacht," which translates to Chamois Hunt, in the late 16th century. It depicts a group of hunters, accompanied by dogs, navigating a rugged, mountainous landscape in pursuit of chamois, a type of goat-antelope. Galle was working in a time of expanding European exploration and colonization. Images like this reflect not only an interest in the natural world, but also assert a kind of dominion over it. The act of the hunt, here, becomes a metaphor for the broader project of conquering and controlling nature. Look closely, and you might notice how the figures are rendered – their bodies, their clothing, and their weapons, all contribute to a narrative of human mastery over the wild. This engraving invites us to consider the relationship between humans and the environment and perhaps question the narratives of control and domination that are so deeply embedded in our cultural history. It prompts an emotional reckoning with our place in the natural world.