Who painted Three Hungarians?

Three Hungarians was painted by Stefano Della Bella in 1637.

Where can I see Three Hungarians?

Three Hungarians is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Three Hungarians?

Three Hungarians is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Three Hungarians

Stefano Della Bella , 1637

Three Hungarians 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

Created in 1637, *Three Hungarians* is an etching on laid paper by the Florentine artist Stefano della Bella. The work presents three figures moving side‑by‑side, their backs turned toward the viewer, each dressed in clothing traditionally linked to Hungary. Della Bella, a prolific printmaker of the early Baroque, produced this image as part of his extensive output of genre and military subjects.

Subject & Meaning

The composition captures a fleeting moment of three travelers, suggesting a narrative of movement or passage. Their attire—a wide‑brimmed feathered hat and cape, a plain‑collared coat, and a loose robe with headscarf—identifies them as Hungarian in the period’s visual shorthand, reflecting contemporary interest in foreign dress and the exoticism of Eastern European peoples.

Technique & Style

Executed with quick, scratchy lines, the etching emphasizes the play of light on fabric folds through sharp, angular strokes, a characteristic of della Bella’s graphic approach. The immediacy of the marks conveys a sense of motion, making the print appear more as a rapid study than a fully finished composition, yet retaining the artist’s precise handling of detail.

History & Provenance

*Three Hungarians* belongs to a restrike series, indicating that the plate was re‑used after its initial printing, a common practice to meet demand for popular images. Della Bella’s prints circulated widely across Europe in the mid‑17th century, and this work reflects his reputation for producing a large volume of prints that catered to both collectors and the broader market.

Context

During the 1630s, Florence’s artistic scene was marked by a blend of local tradition and the influx of foreign influences. Della Bella’s interest in genre scenes and military subjects aligned with the period’s fascination with everyday life and the spectacle of foreign cultures, situating this etching within the broader Baroque interest in dynamic, narrative imagery.

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.