Landschap met jachtpartij te paard 1593 - 1619

Antonio Tempesta created this etching, "Landscape with a Hunting Party on Horseback," at the turn of the 17th century. The detailed print invites us to consider the social and cultural values embedded in the imagery of the hunt. Tempesta, working in Italy, would have been influenced by the traditions of depicting aristocratic pastimes. This wasn't just about showing a scene; it was about reinforcing a social hierarchy. The act of the hunt, with its display of horsemanship and control over nature, was a powerful symbol of noble status and authority. The landscape itself, dotted with classical ruins and distant cities, suggests a world ordered and possessed by the ruling class. To understand this print fully, we can delve into period sources. Manuals on hunting, emblem books, and even household accounts can reveal the importance of hunting in the lives of the aristocracy. By examining these historical resources, we gain insight into how art served to legitimize and celebrate the social order of its time.