Plate 21: horse, from 'Various animals' (Diversi animali) 1641

Stefano della Bella created this print, "Plate 21: horse, from 'Various animals'," using etching sometime in the 17th century. The composition immediately strikes us with its study of scale. A large horse dominates the foreground, its detailed form sharply contrasting with the miniature riders scattered across a vast, open plain. Della Bella plays with perspective, diminishing the figures into mere accents against the landscape. This use of scale isn't just about depth; it's about emphasizing the horse's dominance, perhaps reflecting the era’s fascination with power and control over nature. The etching technique itself, with its fine lines and delicate shading, adds to the sense of distance and atmosphere. Consider how these formal elements work together. It's not simply a picture of horses; it's a carefully constructed visual argument about the relationship between size, power, and the human-animal dynamic. The horse, rendered with precision, becomes a symbol within a larger, semiotic game.