Deer hunt, from 'Animal hunts' (Chasses à différents animaux) 1649 - 1659

Stefano della Bella made this print, Deer Hunt, as part of a series called ‘Animal Hunts.’ Hunting prints like this one were very popular in Europe, especially in the 17th century. They reflect the customs of aristocratic society, where hunting was more than just a sport. It was a social ritual, a display of power, and a way for nobles to show off their wealth. The costumes and horses in the image are markers of social class. The deer is often seen as a symbol of nobility, its pursuit a metaphor for courtship, as well as conquest. Prints like this circulated widely and helped to spread ideas about status and social order. To understand prints like this, historians consult a range of sources from manuals on hunting techniques to etiquette guides and emblem books to reveal the social codes embedded in the image. This reminds us that the meaning of art is always rooted in its time.