Plate 8: two horsemen in hats at right, each with a woman seated behind them, riding towards the left in profile across a river, a tree at far right, from 'Caprice faict par de la Bella' 1640 - 1645

This etching by Stefano della Bella, titled "Plate 8: two horsemen in hats at right, each with a woman seated behind them, riding towards the left in profile across a river, a tree at far right, from 'Caprice faict par de la Bella'", is a charming example of his whimsical style. The scene depicts two horsemen, each accompanied by a woman, riding across a river toward a distant town. The composition is simple yet elegant, with the figures arranged in a diagonal line that leads the eye across the image. Della Bella's use of hatching and cross-hatching creates a sense of depth and texture, while the delicate lines of the figures and horses contrast with the bolder lines of the landscape, making the scene both lively and serene. This etching, dating to 1640-1645, is part of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's collection in New York.