Wolvenjacht met een dode ram als lokaas 1598

This print, "Wolf Hunt with a Dead Ram as Bait", was made by Antonio Tempesta, likely in the late 16th or early 17th century, using the etching process. The etching process involves coating a metal plate with wax, then scratching an image into the wax with a needle. The plate is then submerged in acid, which bites into the exposed metal. This creates a pattern of incised lines, which hold ink when the plate is printed onto paper. Look closely and you will see the incredible fineness of the lines, which Tempesta has used to describe the textures of fur, foliage, and clothing. But beyond its visual qualities, the print also speaks volumes about the social context of its creation. The hunt was a popular subject in art, often associated with the aristocracy and their dominion over the natural world. The labor of the hunters, the use of bait, and the ultimate death of the wolves all point to a complex web of power relations. This goes to show us how the material and the making process intersect with social issues of labor, class, and the consumption of nature.