Rund before 1650

Antonio Tempesta’s “Rund” is a detailed, engraving on paper depicting a mythical creature, the Catoblepas, a large ox-like animal with a single eye on its forehead. The creature is depicted in profile, facing the right of the image. The Catoblepas is known for its powerful gaze, which was believed to be able to turn people to stone. This print was likely part of a series of illustrations of mythical beasts that were popular in the 16th and 17th centuries. The artist's meticulous attention to detail and the use of cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and realism. The engraving, now in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, is a small but striking example of Tempesta’s work in the realm of natural history.