Standard-Bearer and Three Pikemen. From the "Collection of Various Pieces Very Necessary for Fortification" Suite
Stefano della Bella
Basic information
- ID
- Г-IV-884
- Author
- Stefano della Bella
- Name
- Standard-Bearer and Three Pikemen. From the "Collection of Various Pieces Very Necessary for Fortification" Suite
- Country
- France
- Technique
- etching
- Material
- paper on cardboard
- Dimensions
- 8.5 x 7 cm (height x width)
Additionally
- Type
- graphic art
- Provenance
- Received from the Lviv Historical Museum, 1954
Information about author
Object description
The work is part of a military and educational suite titled "Recueil de Diverses Pièces Très Nécessaires à la Fortification" ("Collection of Various Pieces Very Necessary for Fortification"), published in 1641–1643. This Parisian period of della Bella's oeuvre is the most productive in his career.
This suite of works by the Florentine artist is based on the prints from Jacques Callot's famous suite "Les Exercices Militaires" ("Military Exercises"), created around 1634–1635.
In the foreground, two different military men are depicted – a pikeman, marching from the left edge of the print while holding a tall vertical pike, and a standard-bearer on the right, carrying a heavy banner. In the background in the middle, two soldiers are shown performing drills with weapons.
Using fine, light lines, the artist creates a sense of boundless perspective and empty space with a minimal amount of setting. The characteristic style of della Bella is evident in the refined, delicate hatching, remarkably expressive contours, and dynamic weight distribution of the figures. This demonstrates a strong stylistic affinity with the works of his predecessor, Jacques Callot.
The print was published in Paris by the artist's close friend and regular publisher, Israël Henriet. This is evidenced by a characteristic engraved inscription in the bottom right corner of the impression below the image: "Israеl excud.", which is an abbreviation for "Israel excudit" – [Israel published it].
Similar prints are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and other major graphic collections.
This suite of works by the Florentine artist is based on the prints from Jacques Callot's famous suite "Les Exercices Militaires" ("Military Exercises"), created around 1634–1635.
In the foreground, two different military men are depicted – a pikeman, marching from the left edge of the print while holding a tall vertical pike, and a standard-bearer on the right, carrying a heavy banner. In the background in the middle, two soldiers are shown performing drills with weapons.
Using fine, light lines, the artist creates a sense of boundless perspective and empty space with a minimal amount of setting. The characteristic style of della Bella is evident in the refined, delicate hatching, remarkably expressive contours, and dynamic weight distribution of the figures. This demonstrates a strong stylistic affinity with the works of his predecessor, Jacques Callot.
The print was published in Paris by the artist's close friend and regular publisher, Israël Henriet. This is evidenced by a characteristic engraved inscription in the bottom right corner of the impression below the image: "Israеl excud.", which is an abbreviation for "Israel excudit" – [Israel published it].
Similar prints are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York) and other major graphic collections.
Inscriptions
Engraved bottom right below the image is the name of the suite's publisher: "Israеl excud.". Inscribed in pencil in the bottom left corner of the sheet is "2698". On the backing cardboard in the centre, there is the gallery's inventory number in pencil: "№ Г-IV-884/ ЛДКГ".
Legal regulation
Borys Voznytskyi Lviv National Art Gallery
