A peasant woman seated on a horse to left, facing right, surrounded by a herd of fcows, goats, sheep, and dogs, a round composition, from 'Six animal subjects' (Six sujets d'animaux) 1643 - 1648

This etching, by Stefano della Bella, captures a pastoral scene using the fine lines achievable through metal plate engraving. Look closely, and you can see the intricate detailing of each animal's fur, and the folds in the peasant woman’s clothing. Della Bella was a master of printmaking, a process that allowed for the wide distribution of images. To create this print, he would have used a sharp tool called a burin to carve lines into a copper plate. Ink is then applied to the plate, and wiped off the surface, remaining only in the incised lines. The plate is then pressed onto paper, transferring the image. The choice of printmaking speaks to the evolving art market of the 17th century, and the growing interest in accessible art. The etching's subject matter, a scene of rural life, reflects a romanticized view of peasantry and agriculture. Yet, the very act of creating and distributing this image through printmaking is tied to the rise of commercial enterprise and the changing social landscape.