Plate 11: a resting donkey, a horse and a foal to right and a windmill to left in the background, from 'Various Figures' (Agréable diversité de figures) 1642

Stefano della Bella created this print, "Plate 11," as part of his series "Various Figures" using etching techniques in the 17th century. Della Bella worked for European courts which influenced his depictions of nature and animals as symbols of courtly life and pastoral ideals. In this scene, the resting donkey takes center stage, while horses and a foal are set against the backdrop of a windmill. Consider how the image idealizes rural life, reflecting the values of the aristocratic society. In this construction of the rural idyll, the animals appear docile, the donkey is resting, and the labor of the working class is all but invisibilized. The print invites us to reflect on the relationship between representations of nature and the social structures of the time. The image presents a view of harmony and tranquility, yet it subtly reinforces the existing social hierarchy.