Plate 11: the pyramid of Caius Cestius at right in the background, a horse grazing at center, a foal suckling a mare at left, two shepherds at right, from 'Roman landscapes and ruins' (Paysages et ruines de Rome) 1641 - 1651

Stefano della Bella made this etching, “Plate 11: the pyramid of Caius Cestius…” without a specified date. The image shows grazing horses and shepherds with the ancient Roman pyramid in the background. Made in Italy, it reflects a cultural fascination with classical antiquity and its picturesque ruins. The composition within a circle lends a sense of artifice and aesthetic distance. Italy was a popular destination for artists at this time, especially to study the antique. Della Bella himself was employed by the Medici family and spent time in Rome. This print participates in a larger economy of images that circulated among collectors and art lovers. The architecture of ancient Rome functions as a sign of the power of history. But notice that the image also includes figures from the everyday world, such as shepherds and animals. To understand this work better, we could consult inventories of prints, artists’ biographies, and histories of the print market during the 17th century. These historical resources help us understand the social life of this image.