Artwork
Caprices: Mounted Soldier and Foot Soldier
Caprices: Mounted Soldier and Foot Soldier is a print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1642 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created around 1642 by Stefano della Bella, *Caprices: Mounted Soldier and Foot Soldier* is an etching that showcases the artist's skill in capturing dynamic movement. It is one of over a thousand prints produced during his career as a Florentine draughtsman and printmaker.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two soldiers, one mounted on a horse and the other walking beside him, both carrying rifles and wearing hats. The relaxed posture of the rider and the tired appearance of the horse suggest a moment of respite.
Technique & Style
Simple yet expressive lines convey a sense of liveliness and movement in the scene. Della Bella's expertise in printmaking is evident in the detailed rendering of the figures and their surroundings, which include a few trees and a distant hill.
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.
![The Flight into Egypt [verso], by Stefano Della Bella](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/stefano-della-bella--the-flight-into-egypt-verso--3a100db72e6d25e3-w320.webp)
