A Rearing Horse, Facing Right 1590

Curator: This is Antonio Tempesta's "A Rearing Horse, Facing Right," held here at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's quite dramatic! The rearing pose and intricate linework give it a palpable sense of contained power. Curator: Tempesta, active in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, was known for his battle scenes and animal studies. Horses, particularly, were symbolic of power and nobility. Editor: Note the exquisite detail in the musculature and the mane. The engraving technique really captures the texture. But I can't shake off the fact that it looks like the horse is about to fall. Curator: Perhaps! It speaks to the precarious nature of power, especially during the turbulent times Tempesta lived through. The horse, although strong, is presented in an unstable position. Editor: A fitting parallel, I suppose. It is a visual dance of energy and tension, a story of movement. Curator: A story of the times!