Bok before 1650

This engraving of an ibex was made by Antonio Tempesta, an Italian artist, during the late 16th or early 17th century. Tempesta was known for his battle scenes, hunting scenes, and landscapes, often produced as prints for a wide audience. This image is a prime example of how the natural world was being documented and disseminated through the medium of printmaking at the time. The ibex, carefully rendered with cross-hatching to give it volume and texture, is presented almost as a scientific study. The print reflects a growing interest in natural history and exploration during this period. How were animals perceived, classified, and understood? Was it for scientific purposes, or also for the sheer wonder of nature? Understanding such an image requires us to consider the artist's sources, the printmaking trade, and the intellectual context of the time. It’s a reminder that art is always embedded in a web of social and institutional practices.