Ostrich Hunt in Barbary, Jan van der Straet, c. 1578
pen and brown ink, with brown wash, heightened with white, on light-brown prepared paper, h 207mm × w 302mm More details
Jan van der Straet imbued this hunting scene with a great sense of drama. The ostrich in the middle of the composition is being attacked by dogs and squawks in fear. In the distance, horsemen are hunting more ostriches. In the 16th century this creature was sought after for its feathers, which were fashioned into fans or used to adorn the clothing of the wealthy.
