Plate 17: Camels, from "Various animals" (Diversi animali) 1641 - 1660

Stefano della Bella created "Plate 17: Camels, from "Various animals," a small etching, at an unknown date in the 17th century. During this period, Europe's relationship with the rest of the world was expanding through trade and colonization. Della Bella's series of animals offers a window into the early modern European imagination, where exotic animals were both objects of curiosity and symbols of global power. The camels here appear docile, almost domesticated, yet the presence of their keeper reminds us of the power dynamics inherent in the human-animal relationship, and the global networks of trade and exchange in which animals were commodified. "Various Animals" invites us to consider how cultural encounters shape our understanding and representation of the natural world. It reflects both the thrill of discovery, and the ethical complexities of a world marked by unequal power relations.