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Solemn Entry of Polish Ambassador into Rome in 1633. Plate ІІІ

Stefano della Bella

Basic information

ID: Г-IV-852
Author: Stefano della Bella
Name: Solemn Entry of Polish Ambassador into Rome in 1633. Plate ІІІ
Country: Italy
Technique: etching
Material: paper on cardboard
Dimensions: 15.8 x 43 cm (height x width)

Additionally

Type: graphic art
Genre: history painting
Provenance: Received from the Lviv Historical Museum, 1954

Information about author

Author: Stefano della Bella
Author in the original: Stefano della Bella
Artist's lifetime: 1610–1644
Country: Italy
Biography: Stefano della Bella (Italian: Stefano della Bella; 1610, Florence – 1664, ibid.). A prominent Italian artist, engraver and etcher of the Early Baroque period, Stefano della Bella was one of the most prolific European printmakers of the 17th century. Following the untimely death of his father, the youth began training in a goldsmith's workshop. Around 1623, he moved to the workshop of the engraver Orazio Vanni, where he mastered the basic techniques of printmaking. Later, he refined his etching technique in the workshop of Remigio Cantagallina – the mentor of the famous French master Jacques Callot. Copying Callot's works significantly influenced the formation of della Bella's own refined artistic style.
During this same period, the artist secured the patronage of the Medici family, who supported him throughout his life. In 1633–1639, funded by his primary patron, Prince Lorenzo de' Medici (uncle of Ferdinand de' Medici, Grand Duke of Tuscany), the artist lived and studied in Rome. There, he immediately received major commissions and made numerous sketches of park ensembles, villas, palaces and ancient ruins, which he later incorporated into his engravings.In Rome, della Bella met the French printmakers Israel Henriet and François Langlois, thanks to whom he moved to Paris in 1639. In France, the artist quickly achieved immense popularity, establishing close and successful collaborations with them, as well as with the leading Parisian publisher Pierre Mariette. His etchings were in high demand among European collectors. In 1650, due to anti-Italian unrest in France (the Fronde), the engraver returned to his native Florence. During this late period, he significantly diversified his favourite themes, creating a series of hunting scenes, landscapes with Roman ruins and detailed depictions of horsemen.
Over his lifetime, Stefano della Bella created more than a thousand unique etchings and thousands of drawings. He worked across battle, landscape, animal, ornamental and genre scenes, capturing the events of his time with documentary precision – from the lavish theatrical pageants of the Florentine nobility to the harsh realities of the Thirty Years' War and the everyday street life of European cities. He became famous for his jewelry-fine, filigree-detailed miniature works.

Object description

This is the third plate of a frieze-panorama consisting of six engravings, marked with the letters "I–K". It continues the composition of the title page and the second plate. The work is dedicated to the magnificent diplomatic procession of Jerzy Ossoliński, Grand Chancellor of the Crown of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, to Pope Urban VIII in 1633.
On the left, a column of horsemen is depicted. The accompanying inscription in Italian at the bottom reads: "I. Venti paggi di S. E. vestiti di colori d'acqua marina e fondo ranciato" [Twenty pages of His Excellency, dressed in aquamarine colours with an orange lining]. The pages, in magnificent costumes with tall plumes and feathers on their headdresses, ride exquisite horses. The splendour of their attire was intended to emphasise the high status of the Polish delegation.
On the right, a separate group of elite steeds moves, led by handlers. The text at the bottom reads: "K. Cinque Cavalli Turchi ornati con Pennacchi d'Airone e varie di Diamanti la terza di Rubini le due ultime di Turchine carichi e ferrature d'oro" [K. Five Turkish horses, adorned with heron feather plumes and various diamonds, the third with rubies, the last two with turquoise, with full tack and gold horseshoes]. Plate III features only two horses, while the last three are depicted on the subsequent fourth plate.

Inscriptions

On the cardboard mount lower left, inventory number: "№ Г-IV-852/ ЛДКГ".

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery