Panter before 1650

Antonio Tempesta created this print of a panther, or pardo, in the late 16th or early 17th century. Prints like this one, and others by Tempesta, were often included in books that categorized and displayed the natural world, like an encyclopedia. These books were a product of the scientific revolution but they also reflected a new world order, driven by European exploration and colonialism. Europeans were encountering new plants and animals, and the printing press allowed them to circulate images and information widely, even if the images were not always accurate. The social conditions that shaped the production of this print included scientific and technological advances but also the colonial project. As historians of art, we consult not only the print itself but also the illustrated books and other documents of the period, so that we can better understand the complex relationship between art, science, and society.