Plate 12: a cow drinking from a stone trough, other cows to left in background, from 'Diversi capricci'

Art Historical Context

This charming etching by Stefano della Bella, Plate 12 from his series *Diversi capricci* (Various Caprices), captures a peaceful rural moment: a cow drinks from a stone trough while others graze quietly in the background. Created around 1644–47 during della Bella’s productive years in Paris, the small print measures just over three by four inches, showcasing the artist’s skill in rendering lively animal subjects with delicate precision. As the third state of four, it reflects the careful refinement typical of his printmaking process. Della Bella, a leading Italian etcher of the Baroque period, was celebrated for his *capricci*—whimsical scenes blending observation and imagination. Etching allowed him to achieve fine, fluid lines that bring texture to the cows’ hides and the rough stone trough, making these intimate works highly collectible. Published in part by Nicolas Langlois, the series appealed to 17th-century audiences interested in both natural history and decorative prints. Now part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s collection through the bequest of Phyllis Massar, this print offers a delightful glimpse into della Bella’s ability to elevate everyday subjects into elegant art. Its modest scale invites close looking, revealing the quiet charm of pastoral life in the Baroque era.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella|Nicolas Langlois · 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...