Efter vildsvinejagten 1880s

Curator: I find myself drawn to this print by Adolph Kittendorff, titled "Efter vildsvinejagten", which translates from the Danish as "After the Wild Boar Hunt". It was created sometime in the 1880s. Editor: My first thought? It's tactile! I want to touch it. The grays of the lithograph suggest the grit of the hunting environment, the rough texture of fur, and that rifle, probably cold steel. Curator: Precisely. It’s a snapshot of masculinity and familial connection presented through hunting as a cultural touchstone. Notice how the dogs mirror the relaxed posture of the hunter, suggesting a shared exhaustion. The trophy is placed front and center, both a prize and a victim. Editor: It speaks volumes about labor, doesn't it? The labor of the hunt, of course, but also Kittendorff’s own labor. Lithography requires meticulous work, grinding the stone, carefully applying the image. Look at the density of lines used to define form and suggest volume in those dogs' fur! Curator: And the light—consider how it defines the human figures in contrast to the more diffused handling of background objects such as trophies hung in the background. This invites viewers to see parallels to the concept of domestic peace and power relationships following the act of the hunt. The presence of the child at the hunter’s knee highlights the legacy aspect, imparting hunting’s significance across generations. Editor: The textures play a major role in directing the narrative and meaning of the work, I think. That dull light across the coarse fur of the boar conveys death; that cold rifle juxtaposed with the warmth of the dogs… This domestic scene is not as gentle as it appears. The material qualities establish that tension beautifully. The scene has a sort of weightiness; there is so much in this scene for such a small amount of space. Curator: Yes, that’s a potent reading. The act of making creates cultural artifacts and traditions. This piece encapsulates stories, skill, memory. Editor: For me, examining this lithograph reminds me that what we value today are results of both physical acts and layers of human meaning imposed on nature.