Wilde herten worden gevoerd in de winter 1850 - 1900

This silver gelatin print, titled "Wilde herten worden gevoerd in de winter," which translates to 'Wild deer are fed in the winter', was created by A. Wille. It shows a herd of deer feeding in a snow-covered landscape. In nineteenth-century Europe, hunting was a complex issue, deeply intertwined with class, land ownership, and national identity. Scenes of wildlife became popular symbols of romantic nationalism, but also reflected anxieties about land use, conservation, and the changing relationship between humans and nature. This image presents a romantic, yet managed, view of nature. The feeding of wild deer can be seen as an attempt to control and preserve a natural resource, reflecting a growing awareness—or perhaps a growing anxiety—of the impact of human activity on wildlife. What does it mean to feed a wild animal? It interferes with the natural order. It prompts us to consider how we construct our relationship with the natural world and the emotional undercurrents that shape these representations.