1592
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Cavalry Attack with Soldiers Fleeing is a 1592 ink by Antonio Tempesta, a Renaissance work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This print shows a chaotic battle scene with soldiers on horseback and foot. Some men are falling, others are running, and one horse rears up in the center. The sky is dark with swirling lines, and figures above seem to be watching from clouds. Weapons like swords and spears are everywhere, and the ground looks uneven with rocks and fallen bodies. The artist used sharp lines to show movement and tension. The mix of soldiers and ghostly figures above might hint at a deeper meaning—this isn’t just a battle, but a story about fear or fate. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists carve images into metal plates.
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.
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