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.

To acquire this lively, sparkling etching full of movement and glistening light, please contact oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. Secure payment is handled via PayPal invoice for a smooth, protected transaction.

Stefano della Bella, “A Reclining Lion, Facing Left”, c. 1641

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)
“A Reclining Lion, Facing Left”, or “Un Lion Couché, Tourné vers la Gauche”, circa 1641

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine laid paper, with a narrow margin surrounding the platemark. The impression is richly inked, strong, and faultlessly printed—likely a lifetime impression showing no signs of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in near-pristine condition, free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains. 

This plate (number 5) is part of the series “Diversi Animali” (Various Animals), comprising twenty-five plates including the title plate. It is an impression from state iii (of iii), with the publisher’s details for Pierre Mariette I (c. 1603–1657) erased from the previous state.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 8.6 x 10.9 cm
• Plate mark: 8.4 x 10.6 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Lower left: “5 Stef. della Bella fecit”
• Lower centre: “Cum priuilegio”

References:

• De Vesme/Massar 694 (Alexandre de Vesme, revised by Phyllis Dearborn Massar, Stefano della Bella: Catalogue Raisonné, 1971, New York, Collectors Editions, [text] p. 111, cat. no. 694, [ill.] p. 133)
• Rijksmuseum: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200155718

Price & Shipping:

AU$266 (approximately US$187.93 / €163.33 / £140.95), including worldwide express shipping.
Please note: Import duties and taxes (if any) are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this finely rendered etching of a reclining lion in a landscape—with a second lion seen from behind in the distance—please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold

Stefano della Bella, “A Lion Standing, Looking to the Right”, c. 1641

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)
“A Lion Standing, Looking to the Right” or “Un Lion Debout, Regardant à Droit”, circa 1641

Technical Details & Condition:
Etching on fine laid paper, with a narrow margin surrounding the platemark. The impression is richly inked, strong, and faultlessly printed—possibly a lifetime impression showing no sign of wear to the printing plate. The sheet is in near pristine condition, free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or stains. This is plate 6 from the series of twenty-five plates (including the title plate), “Diversi Animali” (Various Animals). It is an impression from state iii (of iii), with the publisher’s details for Pierre Mariette I (c. 1603–1657) erased from the previous state.

Dimensions:
• Sheet: 8.8 x 10.8 cm
• Plate mark: 8.5 x 10.6 cm

Plate Lettering:
• Lower left: “6 Stef. della Bella fecit”
• Lower centre: “Cum priuilegio”

References:
• De Vesme/Massar 695 (Alexandre de Vesme, revised by Phyllis Dearborn Massar, 1971, Stefano della Bella: Catalogue Raisonné, New York, Collectors Editions, [text] p. 111, cat. no. 695, [ill.] p. 133)
• The British Museum describes this print in its first state: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1871-0513-61

Price & Shipping:
AU$266 (approximately US$188.04 / €159.57 / £139.39), including worldwide express shipping.
Please note: Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this finely rendered etching of a standing lion, with two other lions in the distance, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I am happy to provide a secure PayPal invoice for a seamless purchase.

This print has been sold 

Stefano della Bella, “Entrance to a Fortress”, c. 1645 (2nd copy)

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)
“Entrance to a Fortress”, circa 1645 (1642–1647)

Technical Details & Condition:

Etching on fine laid paper, trimmed with a narrow margin around the platemark and backed with a support sheet. This work is plate 2 from the series of twelve plates (including the title plate), titled “Dessins de quelques conduits de troupes” (“Troops, Weapons and Attacks”) (see De Vesme/Massar pp. 246–257). Published by Israël Henriet (c. 1590–1661) in Paris with the privilege of the French Crown, and dedicated (as inscribed on the title plate) to Henri Roger du Plessis-Liancourt (1620–1646). His coat-of-arms is depicted on the arcade wall at the right side of the print.

This impression is a richly inked and nearly faultless lifetime impression from the first state (out of three), prior to the erasure of the artist’s name inscribed on the arcade wall in the second state. The sheet’s margins show minor surface marks; otherwise, it is in excellent condition—free from tears, holes, folds, abrasions, or significant stains.

Please note that this is the second impression of this print I have listed. The previous copy, a second state impression, is still available and can be viewed here: https://www.printsandprinciples.com/2023/03/stefano-della-bellas-etching-entrance.html.

Dimensions:

• Sheet: 6.7 x 13.3 cm
• Platemark: 6.4 x 12.7 cm
• Image borderline: 5.8 x 12.4 cm

Plate Lettering:

• Inscribed on the arcade wall with the artist’s name: “Stefanus Della Bella f.”
• Numbered and lettered below the image border: (left) “2”; (right) “Israel ex. SDBella f.”

References:

• De Vesme/Massar 247 (Alexandre de Vesme & Phyllis D. Massar, “Stefano della Bella. Catalogue Raisonné”, 1971, New York, Collectors Editions, p. 84, cat. no. 247; illustrated p. 65, cat. no. 247)
• Jombert (Della Bella) 92 (Charles Antoine Jombert, 1772, “Essai d'un catalogue de l'oeuvre d'Etienne de la Belle, peintre et graveur florentin”, Paris, p. 101, cat. no. 92)
• The Rijksmuseum describes this print: https://id.rijksmuseum.nl/200449937
• The British Museum describes this print: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_1868-0612-1453

Price & Shipping:

AU$271 (approximately US$183.29 / €156.68 / £135.69), including worldwide express shipping. Import duties and taxes are the buyer’s responsibility.

If you are interested in acquiring this intriguing glimpse into a quiet moment at a guardhouse in the mid-1600s, created by one of the most renowned old master printmakers, please contact me at oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com. I will gladly send a PayPal invoice to facilitate a smooth and secure transaction.

This print has been sold