Deer in the forest 1956

Ivan Generalic painted this scene of a deer in the forest with oil on glass, seemingly in 1993. Here, the stark white deer moving through a forest of bare trees calls to mind ancient symbols of purity and rebirth. Since ancient times, the stag has been laden with meaning. In many cultures, the stag represents both the cycle of life and death. In Celtic lore, it is a guide to the otherworld. Its antlers, shedding and regrowing, mirror nature’s cycle of renewal. The deer is often associated with the divine, and this symbolism shifts depending on the cultural context. We may recall the stag's appearance in medieval tapestries and illuminated manuscripts, and the persistence of this motif speaks to a deeply rooted connection to the natural world. This connection speaks to the collective psyche, tapping into a deep well of ancestral memory. The image acts as a potent reminder of the enduring power of symbols, inviting us to reflect on the cyclical nature of existence.