The Easter Hunt at Epping Forest, Plate First 1800 - 1820

Henry William Bunbury created this etching titled "The Easter Hunt at Epping Forest, Plate First" sometime around 1770. Observe the hunt itself. Historically, the hunt, particularly during Easter, has been a ritualistic pursuit, a symbolic chase after renewal and life. The figures here, spurred by the thrill of the chase, echo ancient rites where the hunter, through pursuit, connects with primal energies. Consider how this motif appears elsewhere. Think of the Greek myth of Actaeon, hunted by his own hounds, or the many depictions of Diana, goddess of the hunt, her bow drawn, forever in pursuit. The hunt symbolizes not only the quest for sustenance, but also the deeper, psychological chase after knowledge, power, and the self. The hunt is never truly over; it resurfaces in our art, our stories, and our dreams, a reminder of our eternal pursuit of something just beyond our grasp.