Plate 7: two soldiers standing to left, a wolf devouring a dead horse to right with another wolf entering from right, from 'Troops, cannons, and attacks on towns' (Dessins de quelques conduites de troupes, canons, et ataques de villes) 1635 - 1645

Curator: This etching, likely dating from the late 1630s or early 1640s, comes to us from the hand of Stefano della Bella. Its full title is quite descriptive: "Plate 7: two soldiers standing to left, a wolf devouring a dead horse to right with another wolf entering from right, from 'Troops, cannons, and attacks on towns.'" Editor: That title paints a grim picture. My initial reaction is one of desolation; the delicate lines almost amplify the harshness of the scene. There’s a strange sense of detachment too, as if we’re viewing it from a safe, removed distance. Curator: The wolf, in particular, stands out as a powerful, albeit unsettling, symbol. In folklore and mythology, wolves often represent both destruction and resilience – primal survival. Their presence here underscores the brutal reality of conflict. It’s a stark contrast to the more heroic narratives we often see. Editor: Indeed, the wolves certainly resonate. One feasts on the carcass, while the other approaches—it evokes images of war, plague, famine... Are these predators of the battlefields? They certainly symbolize more than literal wolves. What did della Bella seek to say? Curator: These plates were likely a meditation on the effects of the Thirty Years' War—a period of immense upheaval. The imagery of soldiers alongside scavengers highlights a collapse of order and humanity. I find that compelling in terms of social commentary. We must see, too, that it belongs to a wider series of prints dedicated to troops and town sieges—part of a broader interest in recording military operations. Editor: And note how small and indistinct the figures in the background are! That creates the sense of armies relentlessly on the march—almost abstract and overwhelming. Meanwhile, these scavenging wolves exist here, in contrast, quite distinctly and physically. What is this contrast of clarity saying? Curator: I agree. It’s as if della Bella is forcing us to confront the raw consequences often hidden behind strategic military visualizations. Instead of celebrating the theater of war, it underscores the suffering it inevitably breeds. What do you think is revealed about us in this image? Editor: Well, Stefano della Bella presents us with potent emblems that continue to resonate centuries later. Images that help us reflect on our long historical experience. Curator: It invites viewers to contend with enduring moral challenges posed by conflict. Something deeply ingrained, certainly.