Staand paard naar links gewend, voor een zeegezicht 1590

"Standing Horse Facing Left, with a Seascape," is an engraving made by Antonio Tempesta around the turn of the 17th century. During this time, the status of horses in Europe was changing. They were not only symbols of wealth and power for the aristocracy, but also became important in agriculture and transportation. The horse is centrally positioned. With its muscular build and proud stance, it embodies strength and virility. Horses were often associated with masculinity, and their depiction in art served to reinforce societal ideas about gender roles and power. The seascape offers a backdrop of classical ruins and serene waters. These elements evoke a sense of nostalgia for the past, a common theme in Renaissance and Baroque art, and perhaps represent the artist's longing for a bygone era, or perhaps represent a hope for the future. Consider how Tempesta’s work invites reflection on the relationship between man, animal, and the natural world.