The image of the stag

This study is the first to examine the iconography of the stag in Medieval and Renaissance culture, offering insights into its representation in art. It explores various discrete images and ideas while situating them within a broader symbolic framework. Focusing on paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and ceremonial icons, the book highlights how the symbolic meanings of the stag evolved, particularly through Renaissance emblem books. Part One delves into secular traditions, emphasizing the stag's association with longevity and its role in courtly iconography as a symbol of dynastic continuity and imperial renewal. Part Two discusses key biblical and patristic texts that shaped the stag's significance in Christian art, linking it to themes of life-giving waters, baptism, and saints' legends. The final chapter examines the integration of medieval symbols in Renaissance emblematics, notably in Petrarchan Trionfi illustrations, hieroglyphics, and emblem books. The book presents new interpretations of significant artworks, including the Très riches heures, the Wilton Diptych, and the Westminster Abbey Cosmati Pavement. As a definitive reference, it provides essential documentation of various important motifs in Western art, enriching our understanding of the stag's multifaceted role across these cultural periods.