Eland zonder gewei before 1650

"Eland zonder gewei," or "Elk without antlers," was made by Antonio Tempesta, an Italian artist who lived between 1555 and 1630. This engraving offers us a glimpse into the cultural context of the early modern period, when the exploration and documentation of the natural world was rapidly evolving. Tempesta, like many artists of his time, straddled the line between scientific observation and artistic imagination. His eland, while detailed, also reflects a European understanding of foreign animals that was often filtered through myth and limited knowledge. The depiction of an elk without antlers might be seen as a departure from traditional representations, hinting at the variable and sometimes inaccurate ways in which natural history was recorded. The emotional impact of seeing this animal, rendered with such care yet perhaps misunderstood, is a poignant reminder of how cultural perspectives shape our understanding of the natural world. In that sense, the artwork invites us to reflect on the narratives we construct around unfamiliar subjects.