Who painted Two Camel Heads [recto]?

Two Camel Heads [recto] was painted by Stefano Della Bella in 1649.

Where can I see Two Camel Heads [recto]?

Two Camel Heads [recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Two Camel Heads [recto]?

Two Camel Heads [recto] is associated with Baroque.

Can I buy a print of Two Camel Heads [recto]?

Museum-quality prints of Two Camel Heads [recto] are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Two Camel Heads [recto]

Stefano Della Bella , 1649

Two Camel Heads [recto] is a chalk print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1649 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. Created circa 1649, Two Camel Heads is an etching on laid paper that incorporates revisions in black chalk and a brown wash.

Inscription: Inscribed:none
Markings: Marked:none

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1649, Two Camel Heads is an etching on laid paper that incorporates revisions in black chalk and a brown wash. The composition presents a pair of camel heads turned toward the left, their shaggy manes rendered with swirling lines. The work exemplifies Stefano della Bella’s extensive output in printmaking, a field in which he produced more than a thousand images during his career.

Subject & Meaning

The image focuses on the heads of two camels, emphasizing their distinctive fur-covered manes and the contrast between the dark etched outlines and the softer, lightly shaded areas. While the work lacks narrative context, its careful observation of animal anatomy suggests a study intended to capture texture and form rather than convey a specific allegorical or symbolic message.

Technique & Style

The brown wash provides subtle tonal depth, creating a nuanced interplay between the crisp print and the more painterly revisions.

Della Bella combined traditional copper-plate etching with hand-applied black chalk and a brown wash, allowing him to modify the printed base and introduce varied surface qualities. The etched lines are precise and dense, while the chalk adds a tactile, scratchy texture in certain zones. The brown wash provides subtle tonal depth, creating a nuanced interplay between the crisp print and the more painterly revisions.

History & Provenance

Stefano della Bella, a Florentine draftsman active in the mid‑17th century, is documented as having produced thousands of drawings and etchings, though only a single painting is recorded. Two Camel Heads likely functioned as a preparatory study rather than a finished print for sale. The piece remains in a museum collection, illustrating the artist’s prolific engagement with animal subjects and his experimental approach to mixed media printmaking.

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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.