Steigerend paard naar rechts gewend 1565 - 1630

Curator: Welcome. Today, we’re looking at Antonio Tempesta's "Steigerend paard naar rechts gewend," a print from between 1565 and 1630, held here at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's striking. The energy leaps off the page, doesn't it? Such vitality captured in these delicate lines. It feels classical, somehow…but with a raw edge. Curator: Indeed. This work exemplifies the engraving process. Think about it: Tempesta employed metal tools to carve lines into a metal plate, creating the image we see here in ink. Editor: I’m fascinated by the horse as an enduring symbol of power and nobility, especially throughout the Renaissance. The way it rears…is that defiance? Or is it trained obedience about to break? The lines create such a rich sense of tension. Curator: And don't forget the material considerations: where was the copper sourced? How were workshops organized? Understanding those material networks and production processes is essential to grasping the art's historical place. Editor: Absolutely, but look at the detail! The rendering of muscle and mane—every curve imbued with symbolic weight. A rearing horse like this is almost a universally understood symbol for uncontrolled strength. Think of battle standards, family crests... Curator: The linear style creates a tangible sense of volume despite the flatness of the print, achieved via cross-hatching. We can almost feel the texture of the horse’s coat under our fingertips. And how does consumption play into the artist's choices of material or line? Who was buying these prints and what did they represent? Editor: Consumption is key. The horse symbolizes wealth, control, status – attributes consumed as much by those who admire it on paper as those who own the real thing. This image is part of the symbolism, solidifying ideals of power and dominance in its audience's collective memory. Curator: Seeing how line and form work within Tempesta's broader context as a commercial artist makes one pause at the economic engine that drove printmaking in that era. This print encapsulates both artistic vision and material reality of its creation. Editor: In a way, it’s as if this single horse encapsulates an entire era. Curator: Thank you.