Galloping Warrior

Tempesta had a great interest in depicting nature, particularly animals, in hunting and battle scenes. An accomplished fresco painter, he also produced over 1,000 prints, which were widely circulated and were often used as models by other artists. The present drawing bears a clear relationship to the heads of horses and armed soldier by Stefano della Bella exhibited nearby; Guercino, whose Enraged Mars Restrained by Cupid is also displayed on this wall, copied motifs from Tempesta as well. The corrosion holes in this spirited drawing are caused by the iron gall ink, which can eat into paper over time.