Artwork
Firing the Cannons
Firing the Cannons is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1641 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Firing the Cannons is an etching created by Stefano della Bella around 1641. It is a representative work of della Bella's prolific output as a draughtsman and printmaker.
Subject & Meaning
The etching depicts a chaotic scene of soldiers firing cannons by a body of water, with thick smoke and crowded figures conveying a sense of action and noise. The background features buildings and a church steeple, but the focus remains on the intense activity.
Technique & Style
The work showcases della Bella's skill in capturing dynamic scenes through etching, a technique that allows for detailed and expressive renderings. The swirling smoke and crowded figures are characteristic of the Baroque style, which often emphasized movement and energy.
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)
