Plate 1: a horse drawn cart carrying people and goods, dead horse in the foreground, from "Various Military Caprices" (Varii capricci militari)

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a Italian etcher of the Baroque period, created *Plate 1: a horse drawn cart carrying people and, dead horse in the* around 1641 as part of his series *Various Military Caprices* (*Varii capricci militari This intimate etching (3 9/16 × 5 11/16 in.) captures a chaotic scene amid military turmoil: a laden cart pulled by weary horses trundles forward, burdened with figures and goods, while a fallen horse lies dramatically in the foreground. Della Bella's *capricci*—whimsical yet vivid vignettes—blend fantasy with the gritty realities of 17th-century warfare, reflecting the era's conflicts like the Thirty Years' War. Rendered in the third state of four, this print showcases the evolution of etching technique, where acid bites into a metal plate to create fine, expressive lines. Della Bella excelled in these small-scale works, layering intricate details to evoke movement and pathos, with Pierre François Basan likely involved in later impressions. The medium's portability made such prints popular collectibles, disseminating dramatic military imagery across Europe. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Grace M. Pugh, 1985), this piece highlights Della Bella's influence on printmaking, inviting viewers to ponder the human cost of war through its poignant foreground tragedy and bustling backdrop.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella|Pierre François Basan · 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...