1656
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Galley Slave Hauling a Ship's Cargo is a 1656 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a man bent over, hauling a giant barrel on a ship. His body is twisted with effort, and his arms strain against the weight. In the background, you can see ships, buildings, and a tower, all drawn with sharp, dark lines. The artist used a technique that lets ink sit in the grooves of the plate, creating deep blacks and fine details. This kind of image was meant to show hard work and struggle. Check out more about etching to see how artists like this made their 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.
See the richer artist pageYour cart is empty
Explore artworks →
![The Flight into Egypt [verso]](https://pub-3a17a9933ad74fb28aa30fa758592f23.r2.dev/artworks/3a100db72e6d25e3/thumb.webp)
