Who painted Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees?

Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees was painted by Stefano Della Bella in 1647.

Where can I see Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees?

Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees?

Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees is associated with Baroque.

Artwork

Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees

Stefano Della Bella , 1647

Cartouche with Two Nymphs Metamorphosed into Trees is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1647, this etching on laid paper depicts a decorative cartouche framing two mythological nymphs whose forms merge with arboreal trunks and branches. The composition balances ornamental scrollwork with a narrative scene, presenting the transformation of human figures into trees within a tightly confined, symmetrical frame.

Subject & Meaning

The image illustrates a classical metamorphosis in which the two nymphs become trees, a motif drawn from ancient myth that links femininity with nature’s regenerative power. By intertwining bodies with bark and foliage, the print visualizes the fluid boundary between human and vegetal realms, suggesting themes of continuity and transformation.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine, closely spaced lines, the etching demonstrates della Bella’s meticulous approach to texture, rendering delicate hair, drapery folds, and leaf venation. The use of laid paper adds a subtle grain that enhances the intricate decorative borders, while the overall composition reflects the Baroque taste for elaborate detail and dynamic movement.

History & Provenance

Stefano della Bella, a prolific Florentine printmaker known for a wide range of subjects, produced more than a thousand prints in his career. This particular work, part of his mythological series, exemplifies his ability to fuse decorative motifs with narrative content, and it has been documented in several 17th‑century collections of his prints.

Artist & collection

Artist

Stefano Della Bella

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.