Who painted A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor?

A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor was painted by Stefano Della Bella in 1637.

Where can I see A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor?

A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor?

A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor?

Museum-quality prints of A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor

Stefano Della Bella , 1637

A Seated White Sailor and a Standing Black Sailor is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1637 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created in 1637, this etching on laid paper portrays two sailors aboard a modest vessel amid choppy water.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1637, this etching on laid paper portrays two sailors aboard a modest vessel amid choppy water. One figure is seated, gripping an oar, while the other stands behind him, also holding an oar, both dressed in naval attire. A three‑masted ship dominates the distant horizon, lending a sense of scale to the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a seated white sailor with a standing black sailor, emphasizing cooperation and shared effort against the sea’s turbulence. Their simplified facial features focus attention on the physical strain of rowing, suggesting themes of labor, camaraderie, and the universal challenges faced by seafarers regardless of race.

Technique & Style

Executed with fine, incised lines typical of Stefano della Bella’s etching practice, the work renders the boat’s hull and the surrounding waves with meticulous detail. The artist’s restrained line work conveys texture and movement, while the contrast between the delicate rendering of the vessel and the more schematic faces underscores the narrative tension.

History & Provenance

Stefano della Bella, a prolific Florentine draughtsman and printmaker, produced over a thousand prints across a varied oeuvre that includes military and genre subjects. This particular image is a restrike, indicating it was reprinted from the original plate after the artist’s lifetime, a common practice that helped disseminate his work throughout Europe.

Sailors Seated on a Bank, Stefano Della Bella

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Artist & collection

Artist

Stefano Della Bella

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.