Who painted Thirty Archers and Pages?

Thirty Archers and Pages was painted by Stefano Della Bella in 1633.

Where can I see Thirty Archers and Pages?

Thirty Archers and Pages is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Thirty Archers and Pages?

Thirty Archers and Pages is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Thirty Archers and Pages

Stefano Della Bella , 1633

Thirty Archers and Pages is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1633, *Thirty Archers and Pages* is an etching by the Florentine artist Stefano della Bella. The print presents a procession of mounted figures, each rider equipped with a feathered hat and either a spear or a bow, advancing across a flat landscape that offers only a hint of distant hills.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a disciplined line of horsemen, suggesting a military parade or a ceremonial escort. The presence of both archers and pages emphasizes the hierarchical structure of a mounted unit, while the uniformity of movement conveys order and collective purpose.

Technique & Style

Della Bella employed fine, closely spaced lines to render the texture of armor, fabric, and the horses’ musculature. Cross‑hatching defines the volume of clothing and gear, while subtle variations in line density suggest motion, especially in the dust‑raised hooves. The background remains shallow, focusing attention on the rhythmic procession.

History & Provenance

Part of a prolific output that includes over a thousand prints and numerous drawings, this work exemplifies della Bella’s facility with dynamic scenes. The etching was produced during a period when the artist was expanding his repertoire beyond genre subjects to encompass elaborate military tableaux.

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.