Two Roosters Fighting 1600

Editor: This is Antonio Tempesta's "Two Roosters Fighting," an etching from around the late 16th or early 17th century, currently at the Harvard Art Museums. The stark black and white, combined with the aggressive posture of the birds, makes it quite intense. What strikes you about the composition? Curator: Note the emphasis on line and form. The artist masterfully uses hatching to create depth and texture in the roosters' plumage. Observe how the tension is heightened by the central rooster positioned above the others. Editor: So the positioning is key to understanding the conflict? Curator: Precisely. The visual hierarchy and interplay of light and shadow are integral to the narrative. Do you see how the converging lines direct the viewer's gaze towards the focal point of conflict? Editor: I do now. It’s all about the lines. Thanks! Curator: Indeed, careful observation reveals the artist’s intent.