Two horsemen pass a flock, riding towards the left, a peasant woman and a young boy to left in the middleground, a large tree to right, from 'Six large views, four of Rome and two of the Roman countryside' (Six grandes vues, dont quatre de Rome et deux de la Campagne romaine)

Art Historical Context

In this lively etching from around 1656, Stefano Bella captures a vibrant slice of the Roman countryside. Titled *Two horsemen pass a flock riding towards the left, peasant woman and a young to left in the middle, a large tree to*, it belongs to the series *Six large views four of Rome and two the Roman countryside*. Della Bella masterfully renders two horsemen guiding their steeds past a flock of sheep, with a peasant woman and boy adding human warmth to the pastoral scene, all framed by a majestic tree on the right. The composition draws the eye leftward, evoking motion across the expansive landscape. As a leading 17th-century Italian printmaker active in Florence and Paris, Della Bella excelled in etching—a technique using acid to bite intricate lines into metal plates, allowing for remarkable detail and tonal depth on a grand scale (here, 12 x 10¼ inches). This work reflects the Baroque era's fascination with dramatic landscapes and everyday rural life, blending classical Roman vistas with lively genre elements like shepherds and travelers. Produced during Della Bella's mature period, it showcases his skill in crowded yet balanced compositions, influenced by northern European masters like Rembrandt. Now in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011), this print invites us to imagine the dusty paths and timeless rhythms of Italy's Campagna romana, bridging art and history for modern viewers.

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...