1637
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Scena Quinta di'Inferno is a 1637 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This etching shows a chaotic scene of people, horses, and demons in a ruined city. Smoke and fire fill the air, while figures fight or flee on crumbling steps and bridges. The sky is dark with swirling clouds and flying creatures, and the whole scene looks like a nightmare. The title *Scena Quinta di'Inferno* means "Scene from the Fifth Circle of Hell," based on Dante’s *Inferno*. The artist packed every corner with movement, making it feel crowded and intense. Next, check out the technique: etching to see how artists like Della Bella created such detailed 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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