Artwork
Polish Attendant Holding the Bridle of a Horse
Polish Attendant Holding the Bridle of a Horse 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
Polish Attendant Holding the Bridle of a Horse is an etching on laid paper created by Stefano della Bella in 1637. The print is one of over a thousand works produced by the artist during his career.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts two men with horses, one standing and holding a horse's bridle, the other riding in the background. The horses are adorned with feathered headpieces, suggesting a ceremonial or dignified context.
Technique & Style
Della Bella employed quick, sketchy lines to convey movement and texture, balancing fine details in the horses' feathers and men's clothing with simpler facial features. The etching technique allowed for expressive and intricate renderings.
History & Provenance
The print was originally created in 1637, with later restrikes produced after della Bella's death in 1664. Della Bella spent much of his life in Florence, where he worked as a draughtsman and printmaker.
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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