Hangend hert 1605 - 1678

Curator: Let's turn our attention to "Hangend hert", or "Hanging Deer," a drawing by Paul de Vos, created sometime between 1605 and 1678. It's rendered in pencil on paper. What strikes you initially about this piece? Editor: There's a strange tension. It’s almost spectral, isn't it? The thin lines give it an unfinished, ethereal quality, like a dream fading at the edges. Is it falling or flying? Curator: Precisely! De Vos was known for his hunting scenes, often grand in scale. However, this drawing, in its sketch-like quality, provides insights into his process. The rapid strokes, the visible construction of the animal’s form—it's about labor, draftsmanship, and the early stages of artistic production. Editor: The material, the paper, adds another layer. It looks aged, slightly browned. Makes you think about its history, its journey through time, almost mirroring the deer's journey. It's all fleeting, though. I keep thinking about vulnerability – and, of course, the violence implied by the 'hanging'. Curator: And it’s worth considering who had access to materials like paper and pencils at that time. Drawing served as a preparatory stage, or for documentation, usually available only to elite artists working for wealthy patrons. This affects how artworks, such as sketches, get valued as opposed to other handmade items that are unsigned. Editor: It reminds me of that quote, "Art is never finished, only abandoned." This feels like a moment captured, a fleeting glimpse. And there are some faint images floating on top; are those afterthoughts? Failed attempts? Curator: Perhaps ideas De Vos decided not to develop. It reveals a negotiation, the decision-making intrinsic to making art. The materiality of this work also informs the production of knowledge about natural forms that Renaissance scholars so embraced. Editor: Fascinating how a simple sketch on paper can be so layered! Curator: Absolutely, an examination of material conditions can deeply affect our appreciation for its emotional effects.