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

Stefano della Bella

Basic information

ID: Г-IV-854
Author: Stefano della Bella
Name: Solemn Entry of Polish Ambassador into Rome in 1633. Plate V
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 fifth plate of a frieze-panorama consisting of six engravings, marked with the letters "N–O". It continues the composition of the previous plates. 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.
In the centre, a spreading tree is depicted, dividing the composition into two parts. The left section features mounted and foot figures shown from behind (letter "N"). These are representatives of the nobility sent by the cardinals, watching the procession. Regarding this group, the inscription below the border states: "N. Diuersi Signori Spagnoli e Gentilhuomini mandati da Cardinali, / et altri Ambasciatori" [Various Spanish grandees and gentlemen (Gentilhuomini) sent by cardinals, and other ambassadors].
The right section under the letter "O", slightly at a distance from the observers, depicts the continuation of the diplomatic procession – the elite Polish cavalry. This is evidenced by the inscription at the bottom of the plate: "O. Molti Caualieri Pollacchi con Abiti e Caualli di gran valore / armati di Mazza d'Argento" [Many Polish horsemen in expensive attire and on precious horses, armed with silver maces]. The riders are dressed in traditional noble attire – kuntushes (traditional overcoats), zhupans (long tunics), and characteristic headdresses. At the bottom, under the letter "P", is an inscription that refers to the subsequent sixth plate: "P. Seguina altri Caualieri franzesi, e Camerieri di S. Santita" [Following are other French horsemen and chamberlains of His Holiness].

Inscriptions

On the cardboard mount lower left, inventory number: "№ Г-IV-854/ ЛДКГ".

Legal regulation

Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery