Plate 5: a procession of horsemen crossing a river, a tree at center, from  'Troops, cannons, and attacks on towns' (Dessins de quelques conduites de troupes, canons, et ataques de villes) by Stefano della Bella

Plate 5: a procession of horsemen crossing a river, a tree at center, from 'Troops, cannons, and attacks on towns' (Dessins de quelques conduites de troupes, canons, et ataques de villes) 1635 - 1645

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Artwork details

Medium
drawing, print, etching
Dimensions
Sheet: 2 1/2 x 4 15/16 in. (6.3 x 12.6 cm)
Location
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Copyright
Public Domain

Tags

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drawing

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baroque

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print

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etching

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landscape

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history-painting

About this artwork

This print, Plate 5 from 'Troops, cannons, and attacks on towns' was etched by Stefano della Bella in the 17th century. Notice the composition, which divides the scene into distinct registers. The foreground presents a detailed depiction of horsemen and a prominent tree, while the background fades into a more generalized landscape featuring a bridge, distant figures and faint smoke. Della Bella masterfully uses line to define form and space, creating a sense of depth and movement. The diagonal lines of the landscape and the procession of figures draw the viewer's eye across the scene. The central tree acts as a structural anchor, its branches reaching out to frame the sky and provide a counterpoint to the linear movement of the troops. Consider how the artwork destabilizes established meanings. Is this a celebration of military might or a commentary on the chaos and displacement of war? The delicate lines and balanced composition invite contemplation.

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