Februari: een toernooi (vissen) 1599

This is Antonio Tempesta’s etching, “Februari: een toernooi (vissen)”, now at the Rijksmuseum. The composition is striking. The foreground is filled with detailed figures on horseback, angled towards the center. This directs our eyes to the tournament in the middle ground. The use of line creates textures on the figures and architectural backdrop. Notice how the architectural features frame the scene, adding depth and perspective. Tempesta employs hatching and cross-hatching to render a rich variety of textures, from the fabrics to the horses’ musculature. These details draw us into the depicted event. The two fish floating in the sky function as signs which denote the Zodiac constellation Pisces, a symbol associated with the month of February. The etching merges observation with symbolic representation. By carefully examining the use of line and form, we can appreciate Tempesta’s skill in capturing a dynamic cultural event. His structured portrayal offers a glimpse into the social rituals of his time.