Artwork
Deer Chased by Two Cavaliers
Deer Chased by Two Cavaliers is an ink print 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, this print by Stefano della Bella portrays a lively chase in which a deer is pursued by two mounted riders. Executed as an etching on laid paper, the image captures a moment of tension set against a tranquil countryside, illustrating the artist’s facility with narrative scenes and his prolific output in the print medium.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a startled deer darting across a meadow while two cavalier figures, clad in period attire, urge their horses forward. One rider grips a spear, suggesting an intent to strike, whereas the other directs his mount with a whip, emphasizing the urgency of the hunt and the interplay between human control and animal flight.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed the etching process on a laid‑paper support, allowing fine lines to render both the intricate details of the riders’ dress and the textured foliage. The contrast between the crisp foreground figures and the softer, stippled background hills creates depth, a hallmark of Baroque printmaking that balances dynamism with atmospheric space.
History & Provenance
The work is a restrike, indicating it was reproduced after the original plate’s initial impression. Stefano della Bella (1610‑1664), a Florentine draftsman, produced more than a thousand etchings and an extensive corpus of drawings, though only a single painting is attributed to him. This print exemplifies his broad thematic range, encompassing courtly, military, and pastoral subjects.
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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