Hunting Scene 16th century

This ‘Hunting Scene’ was created by an anonymous artist on a 9 inch wide circular piece of parchment. Using ink, they rendered a detailed and dramatic hunting scene around a blank central space. Ink on parchment offers a unique balance of control and fluidity, allowing for the creation of very fine lines, as well as broader areas of shading. Look closely, and you’ll see how the artist has used these qualities to their advantage, building up a complex composition with a remarkable sense of depth and movement. The scenes of men on horseback chasing wild game demonstrates the dynamic possibilities of the circular format, as it seems the hunt could continue around and around, endlessly. Though we don't know the identity of the artist, nor the function of this roundel, it's clear that they were highly skilled, commanding both the materials and the conventions of Renaissance draftsmanship. Appreciating the artistry of the piece allows us to challenge the conventional divide between ‘high art’ and the decorative arts.