Klauwend paard van achter gezien 1565 - 1630

Antonio Tempesta created this tiny, intricate etching, "Klauwend paard van achter gezien" at an unknown date. The fine lines of the engraving give form to the horse's muscular body and flowing mane, all rendered in exquisite detail. The horse is presented from an unusual rear perspective which emphasizes its powerful hindquarters. Tempesta's careful rendering of light and shadow creates a sense of volume, even within the limitations of the printmaking medium. The composition creates an interesting tension between naturalism and stylization. The horse's pose seems both dynamic and carefully arranged, reflecting the artificiality often seen in Renaissance and Baroque art. What we observe here is a deliberate artistic choice to explore the aesthetic qualities of the subject. This print embodies a moment of transition, reflecting how artists engaged with both observation and artifice in their exploration of the natural world.