View of the coast of Italy (Veue des Costes d'Italie), the bow of a ship resting to left, a group of men playing cards in center, a tower in ruins to right in the background, from 'Views of seaports' (Vues de ports de mar)

Art Historical Context

Stefano della Bella, a 17th-century Italiancher renowned for his intricate landscapes and genre scenes, created *View of the Coast of* in 1647 as part of the series *Views of Seaports* (*Vues de ports mer*), published by Israël Henriet. This lively etching captures a bustling Mediterranean harbor: the bow of a ship protrudes from the left, a group men animatedly play cards in the center foreground, and to the right, a picturesque tower in ruins rises against the coastal backdrop. Della Bella's keen eye for everyday life infuses the scene with a sense of immediacy, blending nautical adventure with the romance of decay. Etching, Della Bella's preferred medium, allowed for fine lines and rich tonal effects, mimicking the spontaneity of drawing while enabling widespread dissemination through prints. At just 3 9/16 x 5 7/16 inches, this intimate sheet exemplifies the Baroque era's fascination with topography and travel, reflecting Europe's growing curiosity about distant shores amid expanding trade routes. The ruins evoke classical antiquity, a nod to Italy's enduring allure for Grand Tour visitors. Today, this gem from the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Drawings and Prints collection—generously bequeathed by Phyllis Massar in 2011—offers a window into 17th-century maritime culture, where sailors' leisure moments unfold against timeless seascapes.

About the Artist

Stefano della Bella|Israël Henriet · 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...