1662
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
A Black Man Feeding a Horse is a 1662 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows three figures in a rough, scratchy line style. A man in a turban leans against a horse, holding its reins. Next to them, a woman in a headscarf tends to the horse’s bridle, while a small child watches nearby. The clothes and setting look simple but detailed, with quick strokes for texture. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the grooves of the metal plate, creating a grainy, almost sketchy effect. This style was common for quick studies or prints meant to be copied widely. Next, look up etching to see how this method works.
Stefano della Bella (18 May 1610 – 12 July 1664) was an Italian draughtsman and printmaker known for etchings of a great variety of subjects, including military and court scenes, landscapes, and lively genre scenes.
See the richer artist page
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