Plate 8: a seated horse to right, seen from behind and turned to the left, three other horses in middleground, a tree in center, from 'Various Figures' (Agréable diversité de figures) 1642

Stefano della Bella made this print called 'Plate 8' as part of his series 'Various Figures' using etching techniques. It represents a pastoral scene populated by horses. Della Bella was working in Florence, Italy in the 17th century. The print demonstrates an aristocratic taste for equestrian subjects and country life. Horses were central to warfare, transportation, and agriculture. This image is infused with the prestige and power associated with them. But the horse in the foreground is in a somewhat unusual pose. It's sitting down. Consider what effect that might have on a contemporary audience. Does this defamiliarization challenge the cultural assumptions of the time? Is the artist subtly inverting the hierarchy between humans and animals? To gain a deeper understanding of this image, we could look at the artist's biography, the history of Florence in the 1600s, and critical texts on the links between animals and power. It would be fascinating to analyze how institutions shape the production and reception of Stefano della Bella's art and other artists like him.