Plate 10: a horseman and a woman, seen from behind, riding towards the right with a young man following them to left, another horseman and woman to right in the background, from 'Various Figures' (Agréable diversité de figures) 1642

Stefano della Bella created this print, “Plate 10: a horseman and a woman” with etching sometime in the 17th century. The artist lived during a period marked by rigid social hierarchies where gender roles were clearly defined. The image captures a scene with a man and a woman on horseback, accompanied by another man running alongside them. Consider the power dynamics at play in the positioning of the figures. The woman rides behind the man, suggesting her secondary status in society. The figure on foot, perhaps a servant or attendant, further emphasizes class distinctions. Della Bella’s choice to depict such a scene reflects the social norms of his time, even as it invites us to question the underlying power structures. What does it mean to be a woman in this context? How does class shape individual experience? This seemingly simple image offers a glimpse into the complexities of identity and social relations in 17th-century Europe.