Hert 1773

"Hert," or "Le Cerf-Cochon" as it is titled in French, is an engraving by W. Tringham. It presents a sika deer in profile. During the Enlightenment, scientific expeditions played a crucial role in shaping European understanding of the world. These expeditions, fueled by the desire to classify and control the natural world, often objectified both nature and the people encountered. The images produced during this time served as tools of categorization, reflecting and reinforcing colonial power structures. Tringham's depiction can be viewed within this historical and cultural context. The seemingly objective rendering of the deer is charged with the dynamics of exploration and scientific ambition. This image also speaks to the emotional complexities of encountering the 'new,' in this case an animal whose being and place in the world is now subject to European interpretation. The artist's careful rendering invites us to consider our own position as viewers, and how we participate in the ongoing narrative of representation, power, and knowledge.