The image shows a line of horses pulling a cart filled with large sacks and two figures seated on top. The horizon is positioned low, with the sky taking up most of the upper part. In the distance, there are suggestions of trees and figures. The etching style is detailed, especially in the horses and carts, with varying line thickness to show depth and texture. The black and white palette creates a high-contrast look. In the foreground, there is a dark shape, possibly another horse. The scene conveys dynamism with the movement of the horses and the loaded cart.
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The image shows a line of horses pulling a cart filled with large sacks and two figures seated on top. The horizon is positioned low, with the sky taking up most of the upper part. In the distance, there are suggestions of trees and figures. The etching style is detailed, especially in the horses and carts, with varying line thickness to show depth and texture. The black and white palette creates a high-contrast look. In the foreground, there is a dark shape, possibly another horse. The scene conveys dynamism with the movement of the horses and the loaded cart.

National Gallery of Art · Print

Baggage Train

Stefano Della Bella

Date
c. 1641
Medium
etching
Dimensions
plate: 9 x 14.2 cm (3 9/16 x 5 9/16 in.) sheet: 18.8 x 29.3 cm (7 3/8 x 11 9/16 in.)
Classification
Print
Accession number
1985.3.2
Credit line
Ailsa Mellon Bruce Fund
Time span
1601 to 1650
Department
CG-E

Portfolio and series

Series
Varii capricci militari

Subjects and terms

  • Florentine
  • etching
  • military
Inscription

across bottom in plate: Varii Capricii Militarii di Stef. Della Bella / F.D.L. Chiartres excudit Cum Privilegio RegisChrist.; lower right in plate: 1; later hand lower center verso in graphite: 5

NGA object ID 65791. Collection metadata is reproduced under CC0. This work is included because its NGA published-image record is marked open access; visitors should recheck the source record before substantial reuse.