Artwork

Black Groom with an Arabian Horse

Black Groom with an Arabian Horse, by Stefano Della Bella, ink, 1650
Black Groom with an Arabian Horse, by Stefano Della Bella, ink, 1650

Black Groom with an Arabian Horse is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1650 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Black Groom with an Arabian Horse is a 1650 etching on laid paper by Stefano della Bella, an Italian artist renowned for his prolific output of prints and drawings in 17th-century Florence.

Subject & Meaning

The etching portrays a scene of everyday nobility, with a turbaned groom leading an Arabian horse adorned with a feathered saddle blanket, reflecting della Bella’s exploration of genre and courtly life.

Technique & Style

Executed in bold, dark lines within an oval frame, the work showcases della Bella’s use of fine, precise etching strokes to convey texture, evident in the horse’s musculature and the folds of the groom’s tunic, characteristic of 17th-century etching practices.

History & Provenance

Created in 1650 in Florence, the etching is part of della Bella’s extensive body of over 1,000 prints, though specific provenance details for this work are not provided.

Context

This etching exemplifies the artistic techniques and thematic interests of 17th-century Italian printmaking, with etching allowing for detailed, reproducible images that could circulate among patrons and the public.

Legacy

As part of della Bella’s voluminous output, *Black Groom with an Arabian Horse* contributes to the artist’s legacy as a versatile documenter of life and nobility in Florence, influencing subsequent generations through his technical skill and varied subjects.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Stefano Della Bella

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.

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: National Gallery of Art open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.