Artwork
Doe in a Marsh Attacked by Two Dogs
Doe in a Marsh Attacked by Two Dogs 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
A doe stands in deep water, front legs bent, head low. Two lean dogs lunge from the reeds, teeth bared. Shadows ripple around them on the paper.
This print was made by Stefano Della Bella in 1646. Etching lets him scratch fine lines into metal, then ink the plate. When pressed, the ink leaves crisp shapes on the page.
Look up Della Bella, Stefano next.
Overview
Doe in a Marsh Attacked by Two Dogs is an etching on laid paper created by Stefano della Bella.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts a tense scene: a doe, legs bent and head lowered, stands in deep water as two dogs emerge from the reeds, baring their teeth. The composition captures a dynamic moment of confrontation within a natural setting.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed etching to produce the print, scratching fine lines into a metal plate, which was then inked and pressed onto the paper, resulting in crisp, detailed shapes.
History & Provenance
The print was created in 1646 by Stefano della Bella, a Florentine draughtsman and printmaker known for his diverse subjects and prolific output of over a thousand prints during his career.
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.
![The Flight into Egypt [verso], by Stefano Della Bella](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/stefano-della-bella--the-flight-into-egypt-verso--3a100db72e6d25e3-w320.webp)
