Plate 23: two hounds, from 'Various animals' (Diversi animali) 1636 - 1646

Curator: What a charming scene! We're looking at "Plate 23: two hounds, from 'Various animals'," a work etched by Stefano della Bella sometime between 1636 and 1646. Editor: It strikes me as pastoral, but almost melancholic. The dogs are so still, observant. There is also a strange tonal flatness about the landscape; a darkness in some of the foliage to the left which, despite its lack of detail, is foreboding. Curator: Della Bella was an Italian printmaker whose work captured the nuances of courtly life and natural history in the Baroque era. These etchings of animals, were quite popular, influencing perceptions of the natural world and even attitudes towards animals. The scenes often depict hunting dogs which are suggestive of elite leisure and aristocratic identity. Editor: Interesting, because when I see dogs, especially hunting dogs, in art from this period, I’m immediately thinking about status and the spectacle of the hunt—the politics of it. Was this print meant to be part of that conversation? The handler in the background seems a tiny bit clownish! Curator: Well, this particular plate offers something slightly different. The inclusion of the attendant in the scene could indicate that this relates to the hunt. However, it seems almost like an aside – there is more weight given to the close inspection of the dogs themselves. Think of the lasting power of animal symbolism - dogs are faithful, loyal and, especially during periods of unrest or change, represent a sort of ideal stability. Editor: That’s a nice counterpoint. These weren't created in a vacuum; the Italian Baroque was rife with power struggles. Prints circulated widely, shaping opinion and reinforcing social hierarchies, so these images carry a quiet cultural weight, wouldn’t you say? This image in particular feels quiet, perhaps even slightly reserved compared to others from the time. Curator: Indeed! By capturing their stillness and individual personalities, Della Bella created an image that invites introspection – this print offers us insight into the human-animal bond and our enduring need for connection in a world of constant change. Editor: A fine reminder that even the most decorative objects often carry profound messages. Curator: Exactly, art holds up a mirror to the values of its time and allows us to learn so much from them!