Plate 11: a young horseman, seen from the front, leading another horse, from 'Diversi capricci' 1639 - 1649

Stefano della Bella etched this image of a horseman, part of his ‘Diversi capricci,’ capturing a scene rich with symbolic weight. The horse, a recurring motif throughout history, embodies power, virility, and freedom. Here, the rider, seemingly young, leads another horse, perhaps suggesting themes of guidance and the taming of primal instincts. Consider the equestrian statues of Roman emperors; these rulers are immortalized, projecting authority and control. Yet, in Bella’s rendering, the horseman’s vulnerability is palpable. This recalls the ancient Greek depictions of centaurs—beings half-man, half-horse—and their internal struggle between intellect and animalistic nature. The image evokes a tension between control and wildness, resonating with our collective memory of humanity's complex relationship with nature. It is a recurring cycle, a psychological dance that unfolds through art, time and again.