Artwork

Cartouche in the Form of a Drape Suspended from a Cypress Flanked by Skeletons

Cartouche in the Form of a Drape Suspended from a Cypress Flanked by Skeletons is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

The composition is enclosed by a decorative border that mimics folded fabric, emphasizing the work’s blend of ornamental design and morbid imagery.

Created in 1647, this etching by Stefano della Bella presents a dramatic tableau centered on a cypress tree from which a dark, draped form hangs. Flanking the tree are two emaciated skeletons with elongated limbs, their ragged garments adding to the unsettling atmosphere. The composition is enclosed by a decorative border that mimics folded fabric, emphasizing the work’s blend of ornamental design and morbid imagery.

Subject & Meaning

The central motif—a suspended cloth or veil—suggests a theatrical curtain, while the skeletal figures evoke themes of mortality and the transience of life, common in 17th‑century allegorical art. Positioned on either side of the cypress, a tree traditionally associated with mourning, the scene may allude to the inevitability of death unveiling hidden truths, inviting viewers to contemplate the fragile boundary between the living and the dead.

Technique & Style

Della Bella employed the etching process, incising fine lines into a copper plate to achieve intricate detail and strong contrasts. Sharp, incisive strokes define the skeletal anatomy and the twisted bark, while cross‑hatching creates deep shadows that heighten the dramatic effect. The decorative border, rendered with delicate, fabric‑like textures, demonstrates his ability to merge ornamental motifs with a stark, baroque visual language.

History & Provenance

Stefano della Bella, a prolific Florentine draftsman and printmaker, produced over a thousand prints during his career, spanning military, courtly, and genre subjects. This particular work exemplifies his interest in macabre themes and decorative framing. Though the original plate’s ownership record is limited, the print has appeared in several 18th‑century collections, reflecting its continued circulation among connoisseurs of Italian baroque prints.

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.