Man on Horseback Stabbing a Deer 1624

Curator: This is "Man on Horseback Stabbing a Deer" by Antonio Tempesta, a print measuring roughly 8 by 12 centimeters housed at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's remarkably dynamic for such a small piece! The flurry of activity, the horse rearing—it feels intense. Curator: Tempesta was known for his prolific printmaking. We can see his mastery of line here, creating texture and depth through the etching process. Notice how the different animals are rendered using similar techniques, indicating a kind of assembly line process. Editor: The social and political implications are unavoidable; hunting, historically a privilege of the aristocracy, is inextricably linked to issues of class and power. Also, how does this imagery normalize violence towards the natural world? Curator: It speaks to the means of production during the period, artistic labor, and consumption patterns. What do you think? Editor: An insightful, even if disturbing, glimpse into the past. Curator: Indeed, a rich example of the intersection between artistic creation and the world it reflects.