Plate 6: a peasant on horseback in profile facing the right, holding a basket and talking to another man standing behind the horse, from 'Diversi capricci'

Art Historical Context

This lively etching, *Plate 6: a on horseback in profile facing right, holding a basket talking to another man standing the horse*, comes from Stefano della Bella's *Divers capricci* series, created around 1644–47. The Italian Baroque artist, renowned for his intricate etchings of everyday life, a candid moment of rural camaraderie. Della Bella, who trained in Florence and worked in Paris, drew inspiration from masters like Jacques Callot, infusing his works with dynamic energy and fine detail despite the modest sheet size of just 3 1/8 x 3 7/8 inches. As a third state of four in the etching process—where acid etches lines into a metal plate—this print exemplifies 17th-century printmaking innovation. Della Bella's virtuoso technique shines in the horse's textured mane, the peasant's expressive gesture, and the men's animated conversation, blending humor with realism. Published by Nicolas Langlois, these *capricci* (whimsical fancies) reflect the era's fascination with genre scenes, bridging elite art with humble subjects like peasants and horses. Acquired through the 2011 bequest of Phyllis Massar at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, this print highlights della Bella's enduring influence on European graphic arts, inviting viewers to appreciate the charm of ordinary life frozen in delicate lines.

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...