Cavalry Battle. From the "Various Drawings for Both Peace and War" Series
Stefano della Bella
Basic information
- ID
- Г-IV-936
- Author
- Stefano della Bella
- Name
- Cavalry Battle. From the "Various Drawings for Both Peace and War" Series
- Date of creation
- c. 1643
- Country
- France
- Technique
- etching
- Material
- paper
- Dimensions
- 11 x 25.5 cm (height x width)
Additionally
- Type
- graphic art
- Genre
- battle painting
- Plot
- Battle
- Provenance
- Received from the Lviv Historical Museum, 1954
Information about author
Object description
The print was published in Paris by the artist's close friend and regular publisher, Israël Henriet.
The panoramic composition presents a dynamic and chaotic moment of a cavalry clash. The artist masterfully conveys the tension of the battle through expressive lines and detailed movements. In the left and central sections, a fierce clash of riders unfolds: horses rear up, and warriors swing their weapons. Distinct clouds of smoke and dust rise above the battlefield. To the right, against the backdrop of a distant landscape with hills, an organised group of soldiers is depicted moving in formation.
The work demonstrates the delicate miniature technique characteristic of della Bella, fine work with hatching, and the ability to create complex multi-figured mise-en-scènes in a small space.
Since the engraving is of an allegorical and generalised character, the battle depicted is not related to a specific historical conflict or real opposing sides. This is a nameless clash between two cavalry units of European riders. The artist captured the dynamics and chaos of a typical equestrian battle of the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), where the aim was to show the very essence of a military encounter, the brutality of combat, and the valour of the warriors, rather than a specific episode of the war.
The panoramic composition presents a dynamic and chaotic moment of a cavalry clash. The artist masterfully conveys the tension of the battle through expressive lines and detailed movements. In the left and central sections, a fierce clash of riders unfolds: horses rear up, and warriors swing their weapons. Distinct clouds of smoke and dust rise above the battlefield. To the right, against the backdrop of a distant landscape with hills, an organised group of soldiers is depicted moving in formation.
The work demonstrates the delicate miniature technique characteristic of della Bella, fine work with hatching, and the ability to create complex multi-figured mise-en-scènes in a small space.
Since the engraving is of an allegorical and generalised character, the battle depicted is not related to a specific historical conflict or real opposing sides. This is a nameless clash between two cavalry units of European riders. The artist captured the dynamics and chaos of a typical equestrian battle of the Thirty Years' War (1618–1648), where the aim was to show the very essence of a military encounter, the brutality of combat, and the valour of the warriors, rather than a specific episode of the war.
Inscriptions
At the bottom of the print on the left, the artist's monogram "S.D. B." is engraved. Further to the right, the publisher's marking is inscribed: "Israel ex. cum privil. Regis" (indicating issued by Israël Henriet according to the Royal privilege).
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
