1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Cows Grazing in a Valley is a 1646 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This is a black-and-white etching of a quiet valley. Trees fill the hillsides, their branches dense and tangled. A winding river cuts through the middle, its surface rough with tiny lines. In the distance, a few bare trees stand on a hill, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers. The artist used fine, precise lines to show light and shadow. The trees on the right side are almost bare, while the ones on the left are thick with leaves. This contrast makes the scene feel alive, even though it’s just ink on paper. If you like this style, look up etching to see how artists create these detailed prints.
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.
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