Waterfall with Three Tiers

Art Historical Context

**Waterfall with Three T** is a mesmerizing etching by Stefano della Bella the renowned 17th-century printmaker, completed in 1646. Della Bella, active during the Baroque period, mastered the etching medium—a technique where acid etches intricate lines into a metal plate allowing for delicate, fluid details impossible in other prints. This work captures the dynamic rush of a three-tiered cascade, surrounded by rugged rocks and lush foliage, evoking nature's raw power and elegance. Created during Della Bella's influential years in Paris (1639–1650), where he worked for French nobility, the print reflects the era's fascination with grand landscapes and hydraulic spectacles, inspired by Europe's fountains and gardens. Etchings like this democratized art, making high-quality imagery affordable and widely collectible, far beyond the elite patrons of oil paintings. Today, housed in the National Gallery of Art's Department of Prints (CG-E) as a gift from Mrs. Sara L. Lepman, *Waterfall with Three Tiers* showcases Della Bella's virtuosity in rendering light, texture, and motion—inviting visitors to ponder the artistry of water in eternal flow.

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...