Artwork
Donkey Resting
Donkey Resting is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Light hits its side, showing off the drypoint lines he scratched into the metal plate.
Stefano Della Bella made a quiet etching of a donkey in 1642. The animal stands still, head down, in a simple outdoor space. Light hits its side, showing off the drypoint lines he scratched into the metal plate.
This isn’t just a farm animal. Della Bella was famous for prints of animals and soldiers. He often worked fast, capturing small moments with sharp detail.
Look for another Della Bella etching and compare.
Overview
Donkey Resting is an etching created by Stefano della Bella in 1642. It is a representative work by a prolific Florentine printmaker known for his diverse subjects.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a donkey standing still outdoors, its head lowered. The scene is simple, with the animal's form highlighted by light falling on its side. The work showcases della Bella's interest in capturing everyday moments, including those featuring animals.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed drypoint lines scratched into the metal plate to achieve texture and detail in the donkey's form. The etching reflects his skill in printmaking, a medium in which he produced over a thousand works 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)
