A horseman in profile walking to the left, two horsemen duel with pistols in the background, from 'Various cavalry exercises' (Diverses exercices de cavalerie) 1642 - 1645

Stefano della Bella created this print, ‘A horseman in profile walking to the left, two horsemen duel with pistols in the background, from 'Various cavalry exercises' using etching. Note the plumed helmet—a symbol of chivalry and martial prowess. This motif transcends epochs, echoing in ancient Greek helmets adorned with plumes, signifying bravery and status, and reappearing in Renaissance paintings and Baroque equestrian portraits as symbols of power and nobility. Observe the duelists in the background, the horse rears and strikes out with its front legs, this pose can be traced all the way back to the iconography of Alexander the Great. Consider the enduring human fascination with horses, from the steeds of ancient gods to warhorses and steeds of Apollo, the sun god, their form and motion triggering deep, subconscious associations with might and movement through life. The plumed helmet and rearing horse undergo a continuous cycle of reinvention and reinterpretation, each era infusing them with new significance, and imbuing these figures with renewed vitality.