Stier before 1650

Antonio Tempesta's "Stier," an etching created before 1650, depicts a detailed study of a bull. The artist, known for his animal prints, uses intricate lines to capture the bull's powerful form, its musculature, and the texture of its hide. The bull stands in profile, facing the viewer with a slightly turned head, its tongue protruding, giving the impression of alertness and strength. The image, part of a larger series, exemplifies Tempesta's mastery of scientific observation and artistic rendering. This work, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, exemplifies the popularity of animal studies in Renaissance art.