Artwork
New Model for a Cartouche
New Model for a Cartouche is a print by the Baroque artist Stefano Della Bella. It dates from 1647 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
New Model for a Cartouche, created by Florentine artist Stefano della Bella in 1647, is an etched print showcasing twelve ornate, empty frames adorned with Baroque motifs.
Subject & Meaning
The print features twelve vacant, elaborately designed frames, suggesting potential use for portraits or coats of arms, while incorporating cherubs, mythical creatures, and organic elements like leaves and feathers.
Technique & Style
Della Bella's etching technique yields sharp, dynamic lines, imbuing the intricate, swirling designs with a sense of movement, characteristic of the Baroque style.
History & Provenance
Part of the Cleveland Museum of Art's collection, this work exemplifies della Bella's prolific printmaking career, which spanned over a thousand etchings and numerous drawings.
Context
This print reflects the Baroque aesthetic popular during the 17th century, with its emphasis on ornateness and movement, and may have served as a design model for contemporaneous artists or artisans.
Artist & collection
Artist
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.
![The Flight into Egypt [verso], by Stefano Della Bella](https://artifactworldgallery.com/img/stefano-della-bella--the-flight-into-egypt-verso--3a100db72e6d25e3-w320.webp)
