Artwork

The Prince of Tuscany, His Horse Troops and Carriages around Mount Atlas

The Prince of Tuscany, His Horse Troops and Carriages around Mount Atlas is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1661, this etching on laid paper presents a bustling procession of mounted troops and ornate carriages winding around a stylized mountainous backdrop. The composition is densely populated, with soldiers, nobles, and a throng of onlookers filling the scene, offering a vivid snapshot of a ceremonial military display.

Subject & Meaning

The print portrays a formal parade led by a Tuscan prince, his cavalry and carriage train moving through a landscape that evokes an ancient palace setting. The arrangement of figures and the crowded balconies suggest a public spectacle intended to demonstrate power, prestige, and the organized grandeur of the courtly military.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine etching lines, the artist achieves a high level of detail, rendering flags, banners, and individual faces within the crowd. The layered incisions allow for a dense, dramatic visual effect typical of mid‑17th‑century printmaking, where precision and narrative complexity were prized.

History & Provenance

The work is attributed to Stefano della Bella, a Florentine draftsman renowned for his prolific output of etchings and drawings. While della Bella produced over a thousand prints, this piece stands among his numerous military and court scenes, reflecting his reputation for documenting contemporary ceremonial events.

Artist & collection

Artist

Stefano Della Bella

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.