Who painted Mythological Playing Cards?

Mythological Playing Cards was painted by Stefano Della Bella in 1644.

Where can I see Mythological Playing Cards?

Mythological Playing Cards is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Mythological Playing Cards?

Mythological Playing Cards is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Mythological Playing Cards?

Museum-quality prints of Mythological Playing Cards are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Mythological Playing Cards

Stefano Della Bella , 1644

Mythological Playing Cards is an ink print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1644 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

Inscription: Inscribed:recto: in brown ink, on paper pasted at bottom: Metamorphose de la Belle. au nombre de / 53 pieces de premier Epreuve tres Rare.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1644, Mythological Playing Cards is a series of twelve small prints by the Florentine artist Stefano della Bella. Executed as etchings on laid paper, the set adopts the format of playing cards, each image rendered in monochrome with densely packed lines that convey dynamic action and elaborate detail.

Subject & Meaning

Each card portrays a distinct mythological episode, populated by figures, beasts and untamed scenery. The compositions draw on classical narratives, using the familiar card layout to present dramatic moments that blend human drama with the natural world.

Technique & Style

Della Bella employed the etching process, incising his designs into a copper plate before exposing it to acid. This method allowed him to achieve fine gradations of tone and intricate textures, evident in the sharply defined contours and bustling activity that characterize the prints.

History & Provenance

The artist, active in the mid‑seventeenth century, was prolific, producing over a thousand prints and numerous drawings across a varied repertoire. Mythological Playing Cards exemplify his printmaking expertise and reflect his interest in merging popular formats with learned subject matter.

Context

During the Baroque period, printmakers often catered to a market for affordable, collectible images. By adapting mythological scenes to the familiar shape of playing cards, della Bella engaged both the decorative tastes and the emerging consumer culture of his time.

Mythological Playing Cards, Stefano Della Bella

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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.