Man and dogs pursuing a stag c. 18th century

Curator: The artwork before us, housed at the Harvard Art Museums, is titled "Man and dogs pursuing a stag" by Giuseppe Zocchi. Editor: It has a kind of frenetic energy, doesn't it? The figures are all captured mid-motion, and the sepia tone gives it a sense of ancient drama. Curator: Zocchi, who lived from 1711 to 1767, was deeply involved in depicting the social mores of his time. I see reflections of the hunting culture that was so embedded within the aristocracy here. Editor: I agree, and I find the figure of the stag particularly interesting. It appears almost as a symbol of freedom, desperately trying to escape the constraints imposed upon it. The dogs are right behind it, representing social pressure. Curator: Yes, it's as though Zocchi offers a commentary, though subtle, on societal roles and the chase for status. Editor: A fascinating piece. One can read into it the eternal chase, be it of game or of social advancement.