Runderen before 1650

This etching, "Runderen," created before 1650 by Italian artist Antonio Tempesta, depicts a detailed study of two aurochs (extinct wild cattle), also known as "bonasi," a reference to the "Bonasus" inscription below the image. The artwork, which is now in the collection of the Rijksmuseum, showcases Tempesta’s mastery of detail, particularly in the meticulous rendering of the animals’ musculature and anatomy, creating a sense of realism. The image, in a style reminiscent of Renaissance naturalism, likely served as a scientific illustration for a book or collection, reflecting the growing interest in documenting the natural world during the 16th and 17th centuries.