Who painted Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I]?

Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I] was painted by Italian 16th Century in 1547.

Where can I see Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I]?

Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I]?

Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I]

Italian 16th Century , 1547

Animals from an Ancient Wall Painting [Table I] is an ink print by the Renaissance artist Italian 16th Century. It dates from 1547 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

This mid‑16th‑century Italian engraving presents a crowded tableau of wild animals, chiefly hounds and horses, rendered in delicate linear detail.

This mid‑16th‑century Italian engraving presents a crowded tableau of wild animals, chiefly hounds and horses, rendered in delicate linear detail. Executed on paper, the image forms part of the illustrated volume *Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae*, a collection that assembled visual records of Roman grandeur. Though the creator remains unidentified, the work exemplifies the period’s interest in documenting animal forms within a broader cultural survey.

Subject & Meaning

The composition focuses on domesticated yet vigorous creatures, with hounds standing upright and horses captured in a prancing pose. Their arrangement suggests a study of movement and anatomy rather than narrative storytelling, reflecting a Renaissance curiosity about the natural world and its representation alongside architectural and historical subjects in the accompanying volume.

Technique & Style

The image was produced by engraving a metal plate with a burin, then inking and pressing it onto paper. Fine, intersecting lines create a cross‑hatching effect that models volume and shadow, giving the animals a crisp, three‑dimensional presence. The precision of the line work highlights the engraver’s skill in manipulating line density to suggest texture and form.

History & Provenance

Created by an anonymous Italian hand, the print was incorporated into *Speculum Romanae Magnificentiae*, a 16th‑century illustrated compendium of Roman antiquities. The volume circulated among scholars and collectors interested in classical heritage, and the engraving has survived as part of that manuscript tradition, offering insight into the visual documentation practices of the era.