Air, a landscape during a hurricane, three horsemen battling the wind, a mass of trees to the right, from 'The four elements' (Les quatre Eléments)

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a 17th-century Italiancher renowned for his intricate Baroque landscapes and dynamic scenes, captures the fury of nature in *Air, a landscape during a hurricane, horsemen battling the wind a mass of trees to right*. Created around 1645–50 as part of the series *Les quatre Éléments* (The Four Elements), print vividly embodies the element of air through a chaotic storm: windswept trees bend dramatically on the right, while three determined horsemen struggle against the gale, their cloaks and manes whipping wildly. As a first-state etching—one of the earliest impressions before later refinements—this rare work showcases della Bella's virtuosic technique. Etching allowed him to achieve fine, expressive lines on a modest plate (3¼ × 7⅝ in.), evoking movement and texture with remarkable precision. Working in Florence and Paris during a golden age of printmaking, della Bella drew inspiration from nature's power, blending realism with dramatic flair typical of Baroque art. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011), this piece invites visitors to ponder humanity's defiance against elemental forces—a timeless theme that resonates in an era of climate awareness. Its small scale belies its monumental energy, making it a gem for print enthusiasts.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella · 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...