Jachtstilleven met hert 1605 - 1678

This study of a deer in pen and ink is by Paul de Vos, a Flemish artist working in the first half of the 17th century. It offers us a window into the relationship between art, power, and the natural world in the Baroque era. De Vos specialized in animal paintings, often grand hunting scenes for aristocratic patrons. This sketch likely served as a preparatory study for a larger, more elaborate piece. In 17th-century Europe, hunting was a privilege of the nobility. Artworks depicting hunting trophies and still lifes featuring dead animals served to legitimize the status of the elite. De Vos was part of a robust artistic and economic network in Antwerp. His artworks catered to the desires of the powerful and he maintained close ties with the court. This drawing can be researched further through archival records, studies of patronage, and social histories of hunting. These resources help us to understand the role of artists in shaping societal values.