Stefano della Bella, “Dancing Satyrs”, c. 1645

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)

“Dancing Satyrs”, circa 1645 (1643–1648)

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching with pale plate tone on fine wove (China) paper with small margins. This is the final plate from the series of six etchings, “Animali” (also known as “Six Sujets d’Animaux”). Preliminary studies for this etching and the other prints in the series are held in the collections of the Uffizi Gallery, Florence (inv. no. 7973 F), the Hermitage, St. Petersburg (inv. no. 43722), and Windsor Castle, Windsor (inv. nos: 4572, 4662a, 4662b, 4659, and 4611b) (see Rijksmuseum explanation: inv. no. RP-P-OB-35.000).

The plate is numbered “162” below the image at centre. While I am unable to identify the specific folio series associated with this plate number, and De Vesme/Massar [1971] do not describe it, the addition or amendment of plate numbers is not uncommon in later editions, of which this print appears to be a part.

This impression is crisp and well-printed, with production details nearly completely erased. There are glue remnants from mounting along the upper edge (verso). Otherwise, the sheet is in excellent condition, free of tears, holes, folds, abrasions, stains, or foxing.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 15.7 x 14.4 cm
• Platemark: 14.3 x 13.5 cm
• Image borderline (diameter): 13.5 cm

Plate Lettering (below the image borderline):

• Faintest trace at left: [“SDBella In. et Fe.”]
• Centre: “162”

References:

• De Vesme/Massar 719 (Alexandre de Vesme & Phyllis D. Massar, “Stefano della Bella. Catalogue Raisonné”, 1971, New York, Collectors Editions, p. 113, cat. no. 719; plate p. 136, cat. no. 719)
• Jombert (Della Bella) 128-6 (Charles Antoine Jombert, “Essai d'un catalog de l'oeuvre d'Etienne de la Belle”, 1772, Paris, p. 132, cat. nos. 128-6)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200155739
• British Museum: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_X-5-149

Price & Shipping:

AU$278 (approximately US$194.91 / €170.39 / £147.74), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

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