Artwork
Collection of Various Caprices and New Designs of Cartouches and Ornaments: No 17
Collection of Various Caprices and New Designs of Cartouches and Ornaments: No 17 is a print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1646 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
This 1646 print, numbered 17 in a series, showcases Stefano della Bella's expertise in ornamental design, featuring a decorative composition with mythological and architectural elements.
Subject & Meaning
The print depicts two winged infants supporting a framed, hybrid creature with goat and dragon-like features, set atop a wavy, ornate base. This design likely served as a model for decorative arts, such as coats of arms or architectural details.
Technique & Style
Characterized by intricate, bold, and dramatic shapes, the print exemplifies the Baroque aesthetic popular in the 17th century. Della Bella's signature "Stef. Della Bella" authenticates the work as his design.
History & Provenance
Created in 1646 by Florentine artist Stefano della Bella, this print is one of over a thousand etchings in his oeuvre, alongside numerous drawings, demonstrating his prolific career in Florence.
Context
Part of a broader series of ornamental designs, this work reflects della Bella's versatility, which also encompassed military, court, landscape, and genre subjects in his diverse etching practice.
Legacy
As a representative of Baroque decorative design, this print contributes to the understanding of 17th-century artistic preferences for dynamic, intricate, and mythologically inspired motifs in applied arts.
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)
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