"Red Deer Kid"

The red deer fawn (Cervus elaphus) is born with a russet coat scattered with white spots that render it near-invisible in the filtered light of the forest. These spots disappear in the first autumn. In its early weeks, the hind leaves her fawn lying alone, returning only to suckle it.

The fawn standing in the grass, turned slightly towards us — large ears open, gaze direct. The white spots are still there, clear against the russet of the back. The animal is rendered in colour; the grass remains as a sketch. That economy — the living creature in colour, the surrounding world as outline — concentrates all attention on this small being that has not yet learned to be afraid.