Artwork
La Mort sur un champ de bataille [Death on a Battlefield]
![La Mort sur un champ de bataille [Death on a Battlefield], by Stefano Della Bella, ink, 1648](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/stefano-della-bella--la-mort-sur-un-champ-de-bataille-death-on-a-battlefield--3d26ecb53270265f-w1024.webp)
La Mort sur un champ de bataille [Death on a Battlefield] is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1648 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
- Inscription
- Inscribed:lower center in plate: Ste. Della Bella in. et fec. Cum Pri. Reg.; lower left in plate: Icy la Mort triomphe entre les funerailles...lowe right in plate: Semble n'avoir laissé qu'une seulement...
About this work
Overview
La Mort sur un champ de bataille (Death on a Battlefield) is an etching on laid paper created by Italian artist Stefano della Bella in 1648. This print exemplifies della Bella's versatility in subject matter, which spanned military scenes among many others.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a chaotic battlefield where Death, personified as a skeletal figure on a rearing horse, wields a sword and scythe-like tool amidst entangled soldiers and horses in various states of combat and death. The scene conveys the horror of war, with accompanying French text underscoring how battlefields are transformed into graveyards.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching on laid paper, the work showcases della Bella's printmaking skill. The dark, stormy background and the dynamic composition of the battle scene highlight his ability to convey drama and chaos through this medium.
History & Provenance
Created in 1648, La Mort sur un champ de bataille is part of della Bella's extensive oeuvre, which includes over a thousand prints and numerous drawings, reflecting his prolific career as a draughtsman and printmaker.
Context
The piece is characteristic of della Bella's interest in military themes, a common subject in 17th-century art, reflecting both the historical context of frequent warfare and the artist's broad thematic explorations.
Legacy
While specific legacy details of La Mort sur un champ de bataille are not highlighted, the work contributes to della Bella's recognized influence in printmaking, with his diverse subjects and technical proficiency continuing to be studied and appreciated.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
![The Flight into Egypt [verso], by Stefano Della Bella](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/stefano-della-bella--the-flight-into-egypt-verso--3a100db72e6d25e3-w320.webp)
