Artwork

Jagdstück

Jagdstück, by Antonio Tempesta, unspecified, 1596
Jagdstück, by Antonio Tempesta, unspecified, 1596

Jagdstück is an unspecified painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Antonio Tempesta. It dates from 1596 and is held in the collection of the Bavarian State Painting Collections.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1596 by the Italian painter and engraver Antonio Tempesta, *Jagdstück* exemplifies the early Baroque fascination with dynamic, narrative scenes. The work is part of the Alte Pinakothek’s holdings, where it is displayed among other period pieces that illustrate the era’s vigorous approach to composition and storytelling.

Subject & Meaning

The canvas portrays a tumultuous hunting episode set within a dense forest. Mounted riders thrust spears at fleeing game, while dogs chase after deer and other animals. The chaotic arrangement of figures and beasts conveys the intensity of the chase, reflecting contemporary interests in the spectacle of the hunt as both sport and allegory.

Technique & Style

Tempesta employs a vigorous brushwork that captures movement, using a dark, shadowed background to heighten contrast with the illuminated figures. The composition is densely packed, with overlapping forms that create a sense of depth and immediacy. His handling of light and texture aligns with early Baroque tendencies toward drama and visual complexity.

History & Provenance

The painting entered the collection of the Alte Pinakothek, Munich, where it remains today. Tempesta’s career bridged artistic currents from Baroque Rome to the Flemish traditions of Antwerp, and *Jagdstück* illustrates this synthesis, combining Italian dynamism with the detailed narrative style typical of Northern European prints.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Antonio Tempesta

Artist

Antonio Tempesta

Antonio Tempesta, also called il Tempestino (1555 – 5 August 1630), was an Italian painter and engraver, whose art acted as a point of connection between Baroque Rome and the culture of Antwerp.