Battle of the Amalekites (Bataille des Amalecites), Amalekites on horseback gallop towards the left, pursued by the Israelites, a dead man to right, a dead horse to left

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a Italian etcher of the Baroque period (1610–1664), captures the chaos of biblical warfare in *Battle of the Amalekites (ca. 1645–52). This dynamic etching depicts Amalekites on horseback galloping to the left, pursued by Israelite forces, with a fallen warrior to the right and a dead to the left amid a rugged landscape. Della Bella, who trained in Florence and worked Paris, excelled in printmaking, producing intricate battle scenes that blend historical drama with vivid motion. Printed as the second state of two, this etching measures just 4 13/16 x 10 11/16 inches on the plate, showcasing Della Bella's virtuoso technique. His fine, wiry lines create a sense of frantic energy—horses' legs blur in flight, dust swirls, and figures twist in combat—hallmarks of his ability to evoke depth and immediacy on a small scale. Etching allowed for precise detailing, making his works popular for collectors seeking portable grandeur. Rooted in Exodus 17, where Israelites battle the nomadic Amalekites under Joshua's command, the print reflects 17th-century fascination with Old Testament heroism amid Europe's own wars. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection (Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011), it invites visitors to ponder timeless themes of conflict, survival, and divine retribution through Baroque lens.

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...