Stag at bay, from "Animal hunts" (Chasses à différents animaux)

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a masterful Italian etcher of the Baroque period, created *Stag at Bay* around 1654 as part of his series *Animal* (*Chasses à différents animaux Working primarily in Florence and Paris, della Bella was renowned for his intricate etchings that captured the energy of equestrian scenes, hunts, and daily life with remarkable fluidity and detail. This print, measuring about 5⅝ × 9⅞ inches on trimmed sheet, exemplifies his skill in rendering dynamic action on a small scale. The etching depicts a dramatic moment in a hunt: a stag cornered at bay, surrounded by pursuing dogs, horses, and hunters armed with weapons. Etching, della Bella's preferred medium, involved biting acid into a metal plate to create fine, expressive lines, allowing for the textured fur of the deer, the musculature of the hounds, and the motion of the chase. This technique made his prints highly collectible, bridging fine art and reproductive media during the 17th century. Hunting scenes like this reflected the aristocratic culture of Europe, where such pursuits symbolized nobility, skill, and mastery over nature. Preserved in the Metropolitan Museum of Art through the bequest of Grace M. Pugh in 1985, *Stag at Bay* invites visitors to appreciate della Bella's lively Baroque style and the thrill of the hunt frozen in delicate lines.

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...