Rund before 1650

Antonio Tempesta created this piece called ‘Rund’ using etching techniques, sometime between 1570 and 1630. Tempesta lived during a time of exploration when the boundaries of the known world were expanding. This print is part of a series depicting various animals, offering a window into the complex relationship between humans and the natural world during the 16th and 17th centuries. It reflects a growing interest in natural history, influenced by voyages to new lands and a desire to classify and understand the world's diverse fauna. The Bonasus, or ‘Rund’ as it's referred to here, is a mythical creature, a testament to how fact and fantasy intertwined in early natural history. Consider how the representation of this creature, blends observation with imagination, reflecting the period's worldview.