Cosimo de Medici, Prince of Tuscany and Marguerite Louise d'Orléans

The etching captures the formal union of the Medici prince, depicted in armor, and his wife, shown with a fan and full skirt, reflecting the dignified representation of noble figures characteristic of courtly art.

Executed with a needle and acid, the etching features sharp, dark lines that imprint a grainy, shadowed texture on the paper. This piece exemplifies della Bella’s distinctive style, notable for its precision and depth.

Originally created in 1646, the displayed work is a restrike from a later print run, not the initial edition. Stefano della Bella was a prolific Florentine artist, producing over a thousand prints and numerous drawings.

As a Florentine draughtsman and printmaker, della Bella’s work, including this etching, was influenced by the artistic and political climate of 17th-century Florence, where the Medici family held significant power and patronage.

This etching, with its characteristic sharp style, is comparable to other works by della Bella, contributing to his recognized skill in printmaking and representation of noble subjects.