Artwork
Horses in a Pasture
Horses in a Pasture 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
Overview
Created in 1642, *Horses in a Pasture* is an etching by the Florentine artist Stefano della Bella. Executed as a monochrome print, the work presents a tranquil rural scene in which four horses occupy a shallow water‑filled meadow, surrounded by modest vegetation and a distant horizon.
Subject & Meaning
The composition depicts a quiet pasture where two horses stand beside a small tree, one lies near the water’s edge, and another drinks from the shallow pool. Sparse bushes and a low hill with tiny structures complete the background, emphasizing a simple, everyday moment in an agrarian setting.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed the traditional etching process, incising lines into a copper plate and allowing ink to fill the recessed grooves. The resulting print displays fine, crisp black lines on a light paper, characteristic of his precise draughtsmanship and his ability to render texture without the use of colour.
History & Provenance
Part of a prolific output that includes over a thousand prints and numerous drawings, this piece reflects della Bella’s sustained interest in genre subjects. While specific ownership records are limited, the work is documented among his 1640s prints, a period marked by extensive production for the European market.
Context
During the mid‑seventeenth century, Italian printmakers like della Bella responded to a growing demand for affordable images of daily life. His focus on pastoral and animal themes aligns with contemporary tastes for scenes that combined natural observation with decorative appeal.
Own this work as a print
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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