1647
ink
paper
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Title Page for "Views of the Ports of the Sea" is a 1647 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This black-and-white print shows a busy harbor scene. Ships with tall masts sit in the water, while a crowd of people crowd onto a rocky shore. One woman stands dramatically on a ledge, holding a large sack and a scroll. The waves crash against the rocks, and the whole scene feels crowded and full of movement. The print’s rough, sketchy lines make it feel urgent, like a quick snapshot of life. The artist used a technique that lets ink pile up for darker lines—this is how shadows and textures pop. Next, look up etching to see how artists like this made prints with acid and needles.
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)
