Hispanus Alter - Hieronymus Wierix

A detailed 16th-century engraving by Hieronymus Wierix depicting a Spanish horse in a dynamic pose, based on a design by Jan van der Straet.

This engraving, titled Hispanus Alter, is a fine example of the technical precision associated with the Wierix family of Antwerp. Hieronymus Wierix, a prolific engraver, produced this work after a design by Jan van der Straet, also known as Stradanus. The print belongs to a series documenting various horse breeds, reflecting the period's fascination with equine anatomy and the status associated with fine horsemanship.

The composition features a Spanish horse in a dynamic, rearing posture. The artist employs a sophisticated system of hatching and cross-hatching to define the musculature of the animal, creating a sense of volume and physical presence. The mane and tail are rendered with flowing, calligraphic lines that suggest movement and vitality. In the background, a distant, schematic landscape provides context, featuring a fortified structure that anchors the scene within a classical, pastoral setting.

Below the image, Latin text provides a poetic description of the horse's speed and grace, a common feature in sixteenth-century prints intended for a learned audience. The engraving demonstrates the high level of control required for the medium, with every line contributing to the overall form. The work is characteristic of the Flemish printmaking tradition, where the collaboration between a designer and a master engraver allowed for the dissemination of detailed studies across Europe. This print offers a glimpse into the intersection of natural history, art, and the aristocratic culture of the late Renaissance.