A Chimerical Animal Chasing other Animals 16th-17th century

Curator: Antonio Tempesta, who lived from 1555 to 1630, created this wonderfully frantic print, titled "A Chimerical Animal Chasing other Animals", now in the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: My first thought? This dragon-like creature is having a REALLY bad day! It’s all frantic energy, scales, and fire breath. Curator: Right, that frantic energy feels very much of its time. Tempesta was working during a period of significant social and religious upheaval. I see that anxiety reflected in the relentless chase depicted here. Editor: It’s like a Renaissance fever dream. The animals are rendered so realistically, but then you have this totally fantastical beast breathing fire. It's a fascinating blend of observation and imagination. And look at the detail achieved in such a small format—just over 8 by 14 centimeters. Incredible. Curator: The political message here is what resonates with me. Tempesta used imagery to comment on the chaos of his era, using the monstrous chimera to represent the forces of discord. Editor: I think it’s a great reminder that art, even seemingly fantastical art, can be deeply rooted in the artist’s lived experience and can, at times, serve as a fun house mirror of our times. Curator: Exactly, the chimera is all of us.