Stefano della Bella's two etchings of deer, 1641

Stefano della Bella (1610–1664)

Two etchings from the series, “Diversi Animali” (various animals):

(upper) “Plate 15: A Doe Facing to the Right” (Une biche dirigée vers la droite), 1641;

(lower) “Plate 16: A Deer Moving to the Left” (Un cerf allant à gauche), 1641

Etchings on fine laid paper with narrow margins around the platemark.

Lettered on the lower edge: (left) (upper plate) ”15”; (lower plate) ”16”; “Stef. della Bella fecit; (centre) “Cum privilegio”.

Size: (each sheet) 8.8 x 11.1 cm; (plate) 8.3 x 10.7 cm.

State iii (of iii)

De Vesme-Massard 704 and 705 (Alexandre de Vesme & Phyllis D. Massar 1971, “Stefano della Bella: Catalogue Raisonné”, New York, Collectors Edition, vol. 1, page 112; vol. 2, p. 134).

See the description of these prints at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and Harvard Art Museums:

(upper plate) https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/377043;

https://www.harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/244725?position=9;

(lower plate) https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/377038;

https://www.harvardartmuseums.org/collections/object/244167?position=10.

Condition: richly inked and well-printed impressions, with a narrow margin around the platemarks. The etching of a doe has a mark on its head (as if it has antlers) otherwise the sheets are in excellent condition for the age of the prints (i.e. there are no tears, holes, folds, losses, abrasions or foxing).

I am selling this pair of etchings—lifetime impressions based on the crisp quality of line showing no sign of wear to the printing plates—by one of the famous of the old master printmakers, for AU$345 (currently US$225.48/EUR204.85/GBP175.18 at the time of posting this listing) including postage and handling to anywhere in the world.

If you are interested in purchasing these sensitively executed etchings, please contact me (oz_jim@printsandprinciples.com) and I will send you a PayPal invoice to make the payment easy.