Bear Hunt 1514 - 1562

"Bear Hunt" is an etching created by Virgil Solis, a prominent German artist, between 1514 and 1562. The artwork, currently housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, depicts a dramatic scene of a bear hunt with two hunters and several hounds. The dynamic composition captures the intensity of the chase as the bear struggles against the attack of the dogs while a hunter armed with a spear prepares to strike. This artwork offers a glimpse into the popular pastime of bear hunting during the Renaissance period and showcases Solis's skill in capturing both the realism of the scene and the emotional tension of the hunt.