Jacht op herten en everzwijnen 1599

Antonio Tempesta made this print, "Jacht op herten en everzwijnen," which translates to "Hunting Deer and Wild Boar," sometime between the late 16th and early 17th centuries, using etching and engraving techniques. The texture of the print is defined by the way Tempesta worked the metal plate. He used a sharp needle to draw through a waxy ground, exposing the metal, then bathed the plate in acid. The acid bit into the lines, creating grooves that would hold ink. The burr created in this process gives the lines a slightly soft, velvety quality. The engraver then used a burin to further define the image, creating sharper, more precise lines. The printmaking process allowed for the mass production of images like this one, contributing to its wider circulation in society. This print shows an aristocratic hunting party, indulging in a leisure activity only available to the privileged elite. So, in effect, the laborious craft of etching and engraving was here put in service of a depiction of luxury. The choice of materials and making processes always informs the cultural significance of a work.