Boreas and Orithyia, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie)

Art Historical Context

In the intricate etching *Boreas and Orithyia, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie, Stefano della Bella captures a whirlwind moment from classical mythology. Created in 1644, this tiny print (just 1 7/8 x 2 5/16 inches) depicts the Greek god Boreas, the fierce north wind, abducting the Athenian princess Orithyia in a dramatic swirl of motion and drapery. As part of a rare series of 14 etchings designed for a mythological playing card game, it blends entertainment with erudition, inviting players to immerse themselves in ancient tales. Della Bella, a masterful Florentine printmaker active in the Baroque era, honed his skills under the influential Jacques Callot and served the Medici court before traveling to Paris. His etching technique—scratching fine lines into a metal plate bathed in acid—allowed for extraordinary detail and texture in such a compact format, making these prints both accessible luxury items and virtuoso demonstrations of precision. Produced during a time when mythology fueled artistic imagination across Europe, the series reflects the 17th-century fascination with classical antiquity amid the opulence of courtly life. Today, housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department (Bequest of Phyllis Massar, 2011), this gem highlights women's pivotal roles in myth—Orithyia as both victim and muse. It's a delightful window into how art turned legends into playful pastimes, perfect for pondering the winds of fate!

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella · 1610–1664

Stefano della Bella (1610-1664) was one of the most prolific and versatile printmakers of the Italian Baroque period, leaving behind 1,052 prints and several thousand drawings that captured the vivid essence of 17th-century European life. Born in Florence on May 18, 1610, to a family of artists, he trained initially as a goldsmith before studying painting under Cesare Dandini and etching under Rem...