Men on Horseback Killing a Lion 1624

Curator: At the Harvard Art Museums, we have a dynamic print by Antonio Tempesta titled "Men on Horseback Killing a Lion." Editor: It's an intense scene! All that frantic energy, even in such a small, monochrome piece. The lion looks cornered and furious. Curator: Tempesta, who lived from 1555 to 1630, was celebrated for his battle scenes and hunting scenes, often engravings. The detail achieved through that process is pretty remarkable. Editor: Right, the lion hunt is a classic symbol of power and dominance. Think about the ancient Near East, royal iconography...it always carries that weight. Curator: Certainly, and beyond the iconography, consider the economy of line here. It’s an etching, where the physical act of carving lines dictates the form, and ultimately, the reading. Editor: It makes me consider the cultural implications of the hunt. The relationship between man and beast… Curator: Exactly, and the materiality of the work itself tells a story about production and consumption in Tempesta's time. Editor: Well, I appreciate seeing how Tempesta used familiar symbols to create such a vivid narrative, even now. Curator: I agree. The work's ability to provoke these discussions around both the subject and its production is what makes it so compelling.