1648
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Two Ornamental Bands with Cupid and Heads of the Four Seasons is a 1648 ink by Stefano Della Bella, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This image shows two long, decorative bands filled with swirling lines and tiny figures. The top band has a curly-haired cherub and a scene with a woman and a goat. The bottom band has four oval portraits of faces—two look calm, two look serious—with curly frames and musical notes or instruments tucked in. The artist used a sharp, precise style to fill every inch with intricate patterns. The tiny details make it feel busy but controlled, like a fancy border for a book or wall. Want to see more like this? Look up etching to learn how artists like this made 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 page
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