Twee vechtende paarden 1590

"Twee vechtende paarden" (Two Fighting Horses), a 1590 etching by Italian artist Antonio Tempesta (1555-1630), depicts a dynamic scene of two horses locked in a fierce struggle. The artwork, housed in the Rijksmuseum, showcases Tempesta's masterful ability to capture the raw power and energy of the animals through detailed anatomical rendering. The composition is a testament to the artist's fascination with the natural world and his skilled use of linework to convey both the ferocity and the pathos of the struggle. This dynamic and detailed etching is a compelling example of Tempesta's mastery of the art of animal anatomy, a recurring theme throughout his artistic career.