Artwork
Colossal Statue of the Apennines
Colossal Statue of the Apennines is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1653 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Colossal Statue of the Apennines is an etching on laid paper created by Stefano della Bella around 1653. This print exemplifies the artist's prolific output and versatility in subject matter, characteristic of his extensive body of work in etching and drawing.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a monumental statue personifying the Apennine Mountains, set amidst a serene landscape with a waterfall, river, trees, and small buildings. Figures engage in everyday activities at the statue's base, contrasting the grandeur of the natural monument with mundane life.
Technique & Style
Executed in etching, the work showcases della Bella's mastery of fine lines to achieve detailed textures, such as flowing water and fabric folds, in a style consistent with 17th-century etching practices.
History & Provenance
Created in Florence circa 1653 by Stefano della Bella (1610-1664), this etching is a restrike on laid paper, indicating it was printed from the original plate at a later time than the initial run.
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.
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The Inhabited Tree
The Water Spray
Colossus L'Apenin, Pratolino
The Little Park (Le petit parc)
Arcadian Landscape with a Doric Temple
Title Page
Capriccio of Antique Ruins with Men Gazing at a Classical Orator
Six Views of Heidelberg Castle
The Staircase with Trophies
Six Views of Heidelberg Castle: Cover, Hunting Scene