Plate Three from Raccolta di Vasi diversi di Stef. de la Bella Fiorentino

Art Historical Context

Welcome to the Prints and Drawings department at the Art Institute of Chicago where we showcase Plate Three from *Raccolta di Vasi di Stef. de la Bella Fiorentino*Collection of Various Vases by the Florentine Stefano della Bella). Created in 1646 by German engraver Johanna Siby Küsel as a reproductive etching on paper (measuring a compact 10 × 21.5 cm), this delicate print faithfully captures one of della Bella's intricate designs of ancient-inspired vases. Küsel, active in Augsburg, specialized in translating the works of prominent Italian artists like della Bella, making high-quality Baroque ornamentation accessible to collectors across Europe. Stefano della Bella, a masterful Florentine etcher of the 17th century, was renowned for his precise, lively depictions of classical motifs—vases brimming with garlands, figures, and fantastical elements—that reflected the era's fascination with antiquity during the Baroque period. Etching, the medium here, allowed for fine lines and rich tonal effects, ideal for reproducing such ornate details on laid paper. Küsel's skilled interpretation preserves della Bella's dynamic style, blending Italian elegance with Germanic precision. This print highlights the vibrant print culture of the 1600s, when reproductive etchings democratized luxury designs for decorative arts, architecture, and scholarly study. A testament to cross-cultural artistic exchange, it invites you to admire the enduring allure of classical revival in miniature form.