Two horseman descend a hill in center, following another man on foot, a castle in the mountains in the center background, from 'Various landscapes' (Divers paysages) 1636 - 1646

Stefano della Bella created this print, “Two Horsemen Descend a Hill,” sometime in the mid-17th century. The composition invites the eye to wander across a textured landscape through the use of line and perspective. The riders and lone walker in the foreground are dwarfed by the imposing mountains and the distant castle. Note how the intricate linework defines the forms, creating a sense of depth and distance. The scene is neatly structured, with the mountain acting as a compositional anchor. This structure subtly implies a hierarchy, emphasizing the grandeur of the natural and built environment over the human figures. The print uses space and scale to destabilize traditional heroic narratives. It encourages us to reconsider the relationship between humanity and nature.