A seated horse to right, seen from behind and turned to the left, three other horses in middleground, a tree in center, plate 8 from "Various Figures" (Agréable diversité de figures)

Art Historical Context

Behold *A Seated Horse to Right, from Behind and Turned to Left*, plate 8 from Stefano della's enchanting series *Various Figures* (Agré diversité de figures), etched in 1642. This delicate print, measuring just 2 13/16 × 3 7/8 inches, captures a poised horse in the foreground, glancing back, with three others grazing in the middle ground beneath a central tree. Italian master etcher Stefano della Bella, known for his intricate Baroque scenes, created this during his time in Paris, where he collaborated with publisher Israël Henriet and patron Artus Gouffier, Marquis de Boissy. Della Bella's etching technique shines here in the fourth state of five (per De Vesme cataloguing), revealing progressive refinements in line work that add depth and texture to the animals' forms and the landscape's subtle shading. Etchings like this allowed for affordable dissemination of his lively depictions of everyday life, horses, and nature, blending Italian precision with French elegance. Acquired by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in 1917 through the Joseph Pulitzer Bequest, this print exemplifies 17th-century printmaking's role in democratizing art. Visitors will appreciate its whimsical vitality—a snapshot of pastoral harmony that invites closer inspection of della Bella's masterful draftsmanship.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella|Israël Henriet|Artus Gouffier Marquis de Boissy · 1610–1664

Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) was one of the most prolific and versatile printmakers of the Italian Baroque period, leaving behind 1,052 prints and several thousand drawings that captured the vivid essence of 17th-century European life. Born in Florence on May 18, 1610, to a family of artists, he trained initially as a goldsmith before studying painting under Cesare Dandini and etching under Rem...