Item description
Stefano Della Bella (Florence 1610 - Florence 1664) was an engraver and draftsman, he devoted himself sporadically to painting. His father Francesco, a sculptor and pupil of Giambologna, died prematurely but managed to initiate all his children into the artistic professions. Stefano was the only one to excel, he had the first teachings in the stores of forgotten goldsmiths who had the merit of making him familiar with the burin. He was essentially self-taught. Bibliographic sources state that he practiced drawing figures curiously starting from the feet and copying the engravings of Jacques Callot having as his only comparison the engraver Remigio Cantagallina. He was then noticed by the painter Giovan Battista Vanni who took him into his workshop and gave him his first lessons in painting and drawing. Della Bella's vocation was certainly the engraving and already his first works reveal the themes dearest to him: scenes of contemporary life, festivals, battles and decorations. The study of engravings and drawings by ancient masters, the knowledge and comparison with the Florentine and Flemish masters who were his contemporaries at the time and present at the Medici court were a great stimulus. He is considered a pure graphic designer, thanks to his many trips between Rome and Paris and thanks to the protection of the Medici he developed his own graphic language, during his life and throughout the eighteenth century he was sought after and collected in France and Italy. This print is part of the series Landscapes and Seaports composed of 6 sheets engraved inside a roundel. A young satyr is leaning on the bank of the river and is represented in the act of lowering himself into the water; he is shown frontally with his head bowed forward and his eyes fixed on the water as if to scrutinize it. On the left, immersed in the water, there is another satyr with his back to the right hand that clings to the bank to get out of the water. The background is dominated by a landscape full of trees with abundant foliage cleverly illuminated, the chiaroscuro games make the sun's rays perceptible. At lower left, engraved beyond the image "Stef. Della Bella fecit. 1656" on the right the monogram "SDB". Excellent impression with intense blacks. Very good state of preservation. State II/II with both inscriptions. Bibliography: De Vesme-Massar 746, page 144.
ID: 11318-1616426565-17167
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