1646
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Fantastic Vases is a 1646 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows six fancy vases filled with flowers, all drawn in black and white. The vases have strange, twisted shapes—some look like shells, others like stacked bowls with handles. Tiny cherubs peek out from a few, and the flowers spill over the rims, almost like they’re real. The drawing is super detailed, with every leaf and curve carefully marked. This kind of precise line work is typical of etchings, where artists scratch into metal plates. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like this made these sharp, intricate prints.
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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