1652
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Dominant colour
Aerial View of Theatre is a 1652 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, depicting Ice Skating, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a bird’s-eye view of a curved theater stage with tiered seating. Wooden benches rise in neat rows. A few tiny figures sit in the dark seats. Stefano Della Bella made this in 1652. He etched it on paper, scratching fine lines to catch light and shadow. The trick of drypoint lets him draw like a pencil. Look for tiny details in the balcony railings. See more by Della Bella, Stefano.
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.
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