Boar Chased by a Dog
1601 to 1650
Medium
etching on laid paper [restrike]
Classification
Department
CG-E
Museum
National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C.
Credit
Transferred from The Library of Congress
Accession Number
1986.50.61
Art Historical Context
Stefano Della Bella, prolific Italian printmaker active during the Baroque era, created this lively etching between 1601 and 0. Known for his spirited depictions of hunts, battles, and everyday scenes, Della Bella often infused his works with dramatic movement and precise detail. "Boar Chased by a Dog" captures the raw energy of a pursuit, reflecting the period’s fascination with nature’s wild forces and the aristocratic pastime of hunting. Executed as an etching on laid paper, the medium allowed Della Bella to achieve fine lines and tonal contrasts that brought the animals to life. This part...
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...