A Wolf Hunt, with a Dead Ram as Bait c. 16th century

Editor: This is Antonio Tempesta’s "A Wolf Hunt, with a Dead Ram as Bait." It's a striking print. The composition is so dynamic, all these figures and creatures in this dense forest. What do you see in this piece? Curator: The formal organization strikes me first. Note how Tempesta uses the dense, interwoven lines to create a sense of depth and frenetic energy. The contrast between light and shadow is also key. Editor: The lines create so much tension. Curator: Indeed, the very materiality of the etching—its lines, its tonal range—conveys the drama of the hunt. It’s a powerful formal arrangement, wouldn’t you agree? Editor: I see that now! Thanks for pointing that out.