Hunters with Falcons Chasing Wild Birds c. 16th century

Curator: This is Antonio Tempesta’s etching, “Hunters with Falcons Chasing Wild Birds.” Tempesta, born in Florence in 1555, captured this lively hunting scene with incredible detail. Editor: It feels chaotic, doesn’t it? The frantic energy of the birds, the dogs, and the falconers is almost palpable in the mark-making. Curator: The print medium allowed Tempesta to disseminate such scenes, catering to the aristocratic appetite for representations of their pursuits and status symbols. Editor: And the means of production—the etching process itself—speaks to a fascinating tension. The artist’s hand, mediated by acid and metal, to create images consumed by the elite… fascinating! Curator: Indeed, the political and social dimensions are key. Falconry was a privilege. Editor: Seeing the labor embedded, from the artist’s studio to the hunt itself, makes me rethink its value. Curator: Well, that's certainly one way to view it. This piece allows us to glimpse into the lifestyle of privilege in the 16th century. Editor: And for me, it's a lens on how material culture shapes our understanding of labor and leisure.