The Calydonian Boar Hunt, from the Houghton Gallery 1781

"The Calydonian Boar Hunt" is a mezzotint by Richard Earlom, executed in 1781. The print, currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago, depicts the legendary hunt of the Calydonian Boar, a monstrous beast that ravaged the land of Calydon. The scene shows the boar, surrounded by hunters and hounds, in a struggle for survival. This engraving, showcasing Earlom's masterful use of light and shadow, captures the drama and intensity of the hunt, a popular theme in classical mythology and art.