Hert bij een luit 1765 - 1792

This delicate etching by Joseph de Longueil presents a deer standing gracefully beside a lute, framed by trees. The deer, often a symbol of gentleness and purity, is juxtaposed here with the lute, an emblem of harmony and artistic endeavor. This pairing echoes motifs found in Renaissance emblems, where animals embody human virtues or states. We see a similar convergence in earlier bestiaries, where animals symbolize moral qualities. However, here, the lute introduces a layer of sophistication, suggesting a cultivation of the senses and spirit. Consider the enduring presence of the deer in art, from the Lascaux cave paintings to its appearance in medieval tapestries. Its symbolic journey is non-linear and cyclical, as it surfaces time and again, each time imbued with fresh significance and emotion. This image invites us to listen to the silent music of the soul, where nature and culture intertwine.