Stier before 1650

Antonio Tempesta created this print, "Stier," during a period of significant cultural and scientific change in Europe. Tempesta was working during a time when artists were increasingly interested in the natural world, yet also operated in a world governed by social hierarchies. "Stier" portrays a bull, an animal often associated with strength and virility. The bull’s imposing figure may have been a symbol of power, but it also reflects the gendered expectations of masculinity prevalent in the 16th and 17th centuries. The print subtly hints at the human control over nature with a small figure seemingly capturing a second bull, revealing a complex relationship between dominance and the natural world. The work invites us to reflect on the historical attitudes towards animals and the environment, alongside societal expectations around power.