The Castel Sant'Angelo and the Pont Sant'Angelo in Rome, various boats unloading to right, two pilgrims with children seated to left, from 'Varie figure'

Art Historical Context

In this intricate etching from Stefano della Bella's series *Varie figure (ca. 1645), the majestic Castel Sant'Angelo and the Sant'Angelo bridge dominate's Tiber River scene. To the right, boats bustle with unloading cargo, evoking the lively commerce of 17th-century Italy, two pilgrims with children rest thoughtfully to the left, adding a human touch to the architectural grandeur. Published with François Langlois, this first-state impression—before later refinements—captures della Bella's skill in rendering bustling urban life during his prolific Roman period. Della Bella, a leading Baroque printmaker influenced by Jacques Callot, excelled in etching's delicate lines to convey texture, from rippling water to stone fortifications. The Castel Sant'Angelo, originally Emperor Hadrian's mausoleum and later a papal fortress, symbolizes Rome's layered history, while the bridge's statues hint at its role as a pilgrimage route. This 4 1/8 x 6 1/8 in print, now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, offers a vivid snapshot of daily life eternal landmarks, blending travelogue precision with artistic flair for collectors of the era.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella|François Langlois · 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...