Who painted A Young Man Pursued by Death?

A Young Man Pursued by Death was painted by Stefano Della Bella in 1637.

Where can I see A Young Man Pursued by Death?

A Young Man Pursued by Death is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Young Man Pursued by Death?

A Young Man Pursued by Death is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

A Young Man Pursued by Death

Stefano Della Bella , 1637

A Young Man Pursued by Death is an ink drawing by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1637 by the Florentine draughtsman Stefano della Bella, this drawing presents a dynamic chase scene on laid paper. Executed with pen, brown iron‑gall ink, and a gray wash applied over an initial black chalk sketch, the composition concentrates on a youthful figure sprinting away from a grotesque, shadowy presence. The sparse background heightens the tension between the two characters.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays a young man with outstretched arms fleeing a spectral entity whose tangled hair and claw‑like hands suggest a personification of death. The stark contrast between the fleeing figure and the looming apparition conveys a moment of imminent danger, reflecting contemporary preoccupations with mortality and the fleeting nature of life.

Technique & Style

Della Bella employed a rapid, gestural line that captures movement, layering a gray wash to model form and suggest atmospheric depth. The use of iron‑gall ink provides rich, dark tones, while the underlying black chalk establishes the basic anatomy before the ink work. This approach aligns with Baroque sensibilities, emphasizing dramatic contrast and kinetic energy.

History & Provenance

The drawing belongs to a prolific period in della Bella’s career, during which he produced thousands of sketches and over a thousand etchings. While the exact ownership trail is not fully documented, the piece is representative of his early 1630s output, a time when he was establishing his reputation across Italy for versatile subject matter ranging from military scenes to genre studies.

Artist & collection

Artist

Stefano Della Bella

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.