Drie mannen te paard 1620 - 1664

Curator: This etching before us is entitled “Drie mannen te paard,” or “Three Men on Horseback,” crafted by Stefano della Bella sometime between 1620 and 1664. The print is currently housed right here in the Rijksmuseum. Editor: Immediately, the ethereal quality of the line work grabs my attention. It feels very much like a working drawing. Is it preparatory? Curator: That’s precisely it. Della Bella was a prolific printmaker, known for his drawings as well, often studies of military figures and courtly life, meant for larger compositions. Consider the material of printmaking. It was an ideal way to disseminate imagery of power. Editor: Interesting, it is easy to imagine these sketches becoming something more… Grander. How the subject of knights or cavalry leaders serves power. It feels inherently hierarchical to see men on horseback! Curator: Right! Prints such as these, readily reproducible and portable, aided in visually cementing the authority of rulers and military leaders across vast territories. Editor: It’s not just about distributing power, but about consumption, too. These were objects for elite consumption, perhaps intended to signal sophistication and informed patronage. The line work itself seems like it was intended for a very wealthy patron, someone who would really look. Curator: Absolutely. We have to consider the role the medium plays in circulating visual narratives of dominance. But also to acknowledge this very skilled draughtsman! Editor: So, through this print, Bella doesn't just show us horses and riders, he's actually offering a glimpse into the social structures and production of his era. Curator: Exactly. This simple etching acts as a material witness to its time, linking artistic creation, social status, and the projection of authority. Editor: To think this humble print opens up to those power dynamics… it is quite striking, really. Curator: It’s fascinating how such understated materials can reveal layers of history.