#18306 Max Klinger (1857-1920)

The drawing presents a scene steeped in narrative tension and woodland atmosphere. A large tree dominates the composition, its dense foliage obscuring much of the sky and creating a sense of enclosure. The artist has rendered the leaves with meticulous cross-hatching, generating a textural complexity that suggests both abundance and impenetrability.
Below the tree’s boughs, a dramatic moment unfolds. A stag lies prone on the ground, evidently felled by an unseen force. Its posture conveys a mixture of struggle and resignation. Close to the stag, a dog is depicted in mid-leap, its body contorted with energy as it appears to either investigate or participate in the event.
A single arrow protrudes from the stag’s flank, lying on the ground near its body. This detail immediately establishes the cause of the animals demise and introduces an element of human intervention into the natural setting. The placement of the arrow is deliberate; it draws the viewer’s eye to this crucial piece of evidence.
The surrounding vegetation – tall grasses and undergrowth – adds depth and complexity to the scene, further obscuring the background and intensifying the feeling of isolation. The limited tonal range, achieved through variations in line density, contributes to a somber mood.
Subtly, the drawing explores themes of predation, mortality, and the relationship between humanity and nature. The stag’s vulnerability underscores the precariousness of life within the wild, while the dogs presence hints at a complex dynamic – perhaps loyalty, perhaps opportunism. The artist has not explicitly stated the narrative context; instead, he invites contemplation on the broader implications of this woodland encounter.