Seated Woman in Profile after Antique Bas Relief

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a 17th-century Italiancher renowned for his intricate reproductive prints, created *Seated Woman in Profile Antique Bas Relief* around1660. This delicate etching captures the poised silhouette of a woman seated in profile, faithfully interpreting an ancient bas-relief. Della Bella's work the era's deep fascination with classical antiquity, as artists and scholars revived Greco-Roman motifs during the Baroque period to celebrate timeless beauty and harmony. Etching, Della Bella's preferred medium, allowed him to achieve exquisite line work and subtle tonal effects on a modest plate measuring just 6 1/16 × 5 3/16 inches. By translating the sculptural relief into two dimensions, he preserved its elegant contours and serene expression, showcasing his skill in rendering texture and form with remarkable precision. Housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints department as part of The Elisha Whittelsey Collection, this print exemplifies how printmaking democratized access to ancient art for collectors and connoisseurs across Europe. Today, it invites visitors to appreciate the bridge between antiquity and the 17th century, highlighting women's graceful profiles as enduring symbols of poise and classical idealization.

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...