One Horse Kicking Another 1590

Curator: This is Antonio Tempesta's "One Horse Kicking Another". What strikes you first about this piece? Editor: The sheer aggression! It's visceral. The horses seem locked in a power struggle, a dance of dominance. Curator: Tempesta was known for his dynamic compositions and battle scenes. Look at the etching technique, the dense lines creating depth and movement. It speaks to the labour involved. Editor: Absolutely. But what is this conflict saying? Is it about control, the violence inherent in hierarchies? The way they’re shod also suggests the constraints of human ownership and use. Curator: Perhaps it's a commentary on the social conflicts of his time, rendered through these powerful animals? The printmaking process itself democratized images, circulating narratives of power and struggle to a wider audience. Editor: It's a potent image, prompting us to consider the layers of control, exploitation, and the raw energy that pushes back against them. Curator: Indeed. It's a work that continues to resonate, sparking questions about power, representation, and the enduring tension between control and freedom. Editor: I concur, it's still relevant today.