Artwork
A Procession of Sixty Cavaliers and Torch Bearers
A Procession of Sixty Cavaliers and Torch Bearers is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1652 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
A Procession of Sixty Cavaliers and Torch Bearers is an etching on laid paper created by Stefano della Bella in 1652. This print showcases a ceremonial procession with mounted figures and torchbearers, demonstrating the artist's ability to capture detailed, lively scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The subject of the etching is a formal, organized procession, featuring a mix of cavalrymen, torchbearers, flag bearers, and soldiers in formation. The scene likely commemorates or documents a specific event, given the era's use of such artworks for recording and celebrating occasions.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed etching to achieve precise, sharp lines, packing considerable detail into a relatively small format. The monochrome design, with shading used to convey movement and depth, is characteristic of the medium's capabilities during this period.
History & Provenance
Created in 1652 by Stefano della Bella, a prolific Italian printmaker and draughtsman from Florence, this work is part of an extensive oeuvre exceeding a thousand prints and numerous drawings, often focusing on military and courtly themes.
Context
This etching reflects the 17th-century practice of using prints to record and celebrate ceremonial events. Its detailed, lively depiction aligns with della Bella's known style for capturing dynamic scenes of military and court life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
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