Buffel before 1650

Antonio Tempesta created this engraving of a buffalo in the late 16th or early 17th century. During this time, European artists increasingly turned their attention to the natural world, seeking to document and classify its diverse forms. This image reflects a growing scientific curiosity, but also the power dynamics inherent in exploration and documentation. The buffalo, an animal likely unfamiliar to many Europeans, is presented here as an object of study, classified and labeled. The Latin inscription "Bubalus" and Italian "Bufalo" reinforces this sense of scientific categorization. Tempesta's work participates in a broader cultural project of mapping and claiming the natural world. To fully understand this image, one might consult period texts on natural history, travelogues, and the inventories of royal collections. By situating the work in its original context, we can better appreciate the complex interplay of science, exploration, and power that shaped its creation.