Autumn from the Dog's Four Seasons 1720 - 1767

Johann Ridinger made this etching titled "Autumn from the Dog's Four Seasons" sometime in the first half of the 18th century. It depicts an aristocratic huntsman with his hawk and dogs, surrounded by dead game. These images speak to the social and economic structures of the time. Hunting was a privilege of the nobility, reinforcing class distinctions. Ridinger specialized in animal studies, which were popular among the aristocracy. His prints, often based on his own drawings, served as both decoration and documentation of aristocratic pursuits. To fully understand this print, it's helpful to consider the culture of the European aristocracy, their relationship to the land, and the ways in which they visually represented their power. Researching Ridinger's patrons, the hunting practices of the time, and the symbolism of animals in art can provide a richer understanding of this image and its place in social history. The art historian teases out these connections.