Two Riders Passing a Flock, plate five from The Six Large Views of Rome and the Campagna

This etching by Stefano della Bella is from a series of landscapes of Rome and the Campagna. Unlike most etchers of the 17th century, who also made paintings, Della Bella devoted himself almost entirely to printmaking. His etchings are particularly admired for their intense textures and atmospheric effects. The contrast between the coarse tree bark and the plush bundles of foliage exemplify Della Bella’s style.